Historic United Artists Theatre Up for Sale, Listed at $15 Million
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The 1927 United Artists Theatre and its attached 14-story office building is up for sale, listed for $15 million. Since 1989, the building has housed the University Cathedral, a church headed by colorful television evangelist Dr. Gene Scott until his death in 2005.
One of the dozen historic theatres to line Broadway, the United Artists is in perhaps the most turn-key shape, according to Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation head Hillsman Wright. His group is interested in acquiring the theatre.
The University Cathedral ministry is continued by Scott's widow, Pastor Melissa Scott. The church has split time between Downtown and a facility in Glendale, where it will now focus its efforts.
Along with the 1,500 to 2,000 seat theatre, the building contains 73,783 square feet of office space.
The building is perhaps best known for a pair of neon "Jesus Saves" signs that Scott installed on the structure when he moved in. They originally stood atop the Church of the Open Door, at 6th and Hope.
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Dennis Wingo on December 10, 2009, at 08:41PM – #1
Well, it looks like the last vestige of Dr. Scott's ministry is going.
JM on December 11, 2009, at 09:01AM – #2
One of my fervent wishes for years has been for someone to buy and restore this theatre.
Ravi on December 11, 2009, at 10:28AM – #3
What do the other floors look like? What kind of condition are they in? Are there current tenants in the office space?
Ed Rosenthal on December 12, 2009, at 02:09PM – #4
Will the church stay as a tenant? That could actually be helpful to a sale. Its not perfect financial timing for a redevelopment. Is there a listed broker?
Poetbroker.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on December 12, 2009, at 02:15PM – #5
Ed: My understanding is that the church is not looking to stay in the building.
Studio on December 14, 2009, at 12:15PM – #6
Wingo wrote, "Well, it looks like the last vestige of Dr. Scott's ministry is going."
You seem to be under the impression that "his" ministry was merely a building. Last time I checked, his teachings are ministering to the world via satellite, web, print, and word of mouth. All on a growig scale and quality beyond any scope he was able to reach. And it apparently seems to be part of a reival that is just getting started. Pastor Scott is making some brilliant decisions if you ask me. Besides, the names and personalities are irrelevent. It is the Gospel of Jesus that hs always been the point of focus, except for a few misguided fomer parishoners. I hope the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation purchases it! What a cultural asset!
Matthew Jackson Cooper on December 15, 2009, at 09:13AM – #7
I've always wanted to see the inside of the United Artists auditorium, but the LA Conservancy's Broadway theatre tour never gets access.
I thought about attending a church service there, just to get a look at that interior – and maybe hear a bit of the Good News – but to do that, you have to make a reservation over the phone... and that just doesn't seem Christian.
Studio on December 16, 2009, at 09:31AM – #8
Mr. Cooper- I guess they should take advice about what it is to be "christian" from somebody who would come into a church under false pretenses. I suppose they should let anybody with an agenda just walk in to a public broadcast-and a sacred domain to boot- so that they could bless them with their special presence. Kind of like posing as a plumber in order to get into your house so that you may offer advice. Go form your own church so that you can see what screwball really means.
Matthew Jackson Cooper on December 16, 2009, at 05:45PM – #9
Lighten up, Studio
Studio on December 17, 2009, at 10:57AM – #10
Good advice