•  
  • Arthouse Houston

Historic Theater Renovation & Restoration Fund

 

Donate

The Arts & Film Center at Garden Oaks Theater: Our Final Countdown

On February 27, 2026, Arthouse Houston entered into a contract to purchase the historic Garden Oaks Theater. As the sister to the River Oaks Theatre, this Art Deco landmark is one of the last of its kind in Houston. Our vision to save Garden Oaks Theater from demolition and create a community arts & film center will only be possible with your help.

The stakes are high: we must raise the full $7.1 million to close on the contract by June 30, 2026. Failure to reach this goal will result in the immediate demolition of the theater. To meet this challenge, we are seeking two types of donors to join our mission:

1. Pledge Partners (Closing Support)
Pledges can be initiated at $10,000 to $7MM and are commitments that are only called upon if we successfully close on the acquisition. These major pledges are essential now. Without the support of these saviors now, we cannot secure the necessary bridge loan to finalize the purchase and the Garden Oaks Theater will be demolished. More MAJOR PLEDGES ARE NEEDED BY MAY 24TH to secure the bridge loan.

All major pledges from $100K-$5MM will have associate naming rights - Including: Your name on donor wall in lobby, star on walk of fame, naming rights to the main theater, small theater, education center etc.

Current pledges are for Phase I: The purchase of the 2.3-acre property, which includes the historic theater. Phase II will encompass additional renovations and restoration, including the historic marquee.

Please click this link or email info@arthousehtx.org to request a pledge form from Arthouse Houston. You will be sent a form via DocuSign.

2. Angel Donors (Immediate Funding)
Whether it's $10 or $10,000, every donation directly funds the $7.1M acquisition goalThese donors provide the "front-line" capital required right now toward the three deposits creditable to the closing costs. These contributions are dedicated to the preservation effort and are non-refundable.

The donations may cover:

  • Contract Deposits: Non-refundable payments required to delay demolition and hold the purchase contract.

  • Due Diligence: Costs for the National Historic Designation application.

  • Asset Protection: Immediate repairs, including roof patching and security systems to protect the theater from theft and weather damage.

The Timeline

  1. FEBRUARY 27, 2026 ARTHOUSE HOUSTON SIGNS CONTRACT WITH DEVELOPER TO DELAY DEMOLITION AND PURCHASE THE THEATER; PAYS INITIAL DEPOSIT ($130k)
  2. MARCH 22, 2026 - First earnest money deposit extension required ($25k).

  3. APRIL 21, 2026 - Second earnest money deposit extension required ($25k).

  4. MAY 25, 2026 - Third and final earnest money deposit extension required ($25k)

  5. JUNE 30, 2026 - MANDATORY CLOSING DATE ($7.1M); MISSED CLOSING RESULTS IN IMMEDIATE DEMOLITION

  6. JULY TO DECEMBER 2026 - Architectural and engineering plans developed for restoration, historical designations, and fundraising.

  7. JANUARY 2027 TO MARCH 2028 - Restoration of the theater; development of programming and operating agreements with partners.

  8. APRIL 2028 - Full reopening of the Garden Oaks Theater as a cinematic hub in Houston.

To donate via Zelle, bank transfer, or check, or to discuss In-Kind gifts, please contact us at info@arthousehtx.org. Thank you for acting now to save our history.

I would like my gift to support:

Amount

$
Total amount:

Donations by mail:
If you prefer to donate by mail, please make checks payable to Arthouse Houston and send them to:


Arthouse Houston
C/O Maureen McNamara
301 Welch St
Houston, TX 77006

Your Information

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Honor/Memorial Information

      

Your Payment Method

Your Billing Information

By donating, I acknowledge that I am making a charitable contribution to Friends of River Oaks Theatre, Inc, dba Arthouse Houston, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.  Arthouse Houston shall use said contribution specifically towards preservation efforts of the Garden Oaks Theater, including costs and expenses associated with: (i) delaying demolition of the Garden Oaks Theater pending negotiations with Arthouse Houston, (ii) professional fees to investigate or close on a potential acquisition of the Garden Oaks Theater, (iii) option fees, earnest money deposits, and/or acquisition costs for the Garden Oaks Theater.  I understand that my contribution does not guarantee that Arthouse Houston will successfully acquire the Garden Oaks Theater, and if, despite its commercial best efforts, Arthouse Houston is unable to acquire the Garden Oaks Theater, I shall not be entitled to a refund of any amounts contributed to this fund.  This donation shall be tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.