Salt Lake's Tower Theatre won't reopen this year, but owners have big plans for its future

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SALT LAKE CITY — The Tower Theatre, Salt Lake Film Society's historic venue at the heart of the 9th and 9th neighborhood, won't reopen in 2023. But after leasing the space for over two decades, the nonprofit cinema group has now purchased the theater and is planning for its next 100 years.

"We know that many of you feared the Tower might close permanently. We're happy to say that SLFS is 100% committed to the preservation of this unique and wonderful gem of a venue," Salt Lake Film Society said in a news release this week.

The Tower, built in 1928, was the first cinema in Utah to get air conditioning, and according to the film society, the first to show "talkies" — movies with sound. It has remained the oldest single-screen theater in the state dedicated solely to movies, the release says, and the group has used the theater to feature new movie releases and classic film screenings, as well as special showings and events. The theater also hosts the film society's video and DVD archive, which the group says is the largest such collection in the state.

The theater closed in early 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic began, and hasn't reopened since. The Broadway cinema, the film society's other film venue in downtown Salt Lake City, reopened in October 2021. The group intended to reopen the Tower at the same time, but supply chain issues and other roadblocks prevented that from happening, CEO Tori Baker told KSL.com at the time.

The group leased the theater for 23 years but negotiated the purchase of the Tower in December, thanks in part to a grant from the Alternative Visions Fund, according to the release. Now, as owners of the theater, the film society will be able to make more renovations, allowing the Tower Theatre to enjoy a "fresh start," the group said.

"Our inspiration is to repair and renovate the 1928 Tower Theatre as an environmentally responsible hub for cultural, nostalgic, modern and uncensored cinematic experiences," the release says. "As an economic and cultural anchor in 9th and 9th, the Tower will remain a safe haven for underrepresented voices and individuals who love to explore new ideas and tastes through the cinematic lens."

The film society didn't lay out a timeline for exactly when the theater will reopen, but their release notes that some renovations and repairs are already underway or have been completed. The Tower's marquee was repaired to fix rain leaks and protect new electrical work. New rain gutters were installed and roofing repairs also took place on the exterior of the building.

On the inside, some interior sealing work was completed. Additionally, the lobby of the theater was demolished as the film society is planning a new layout for the lobby space that will be more accessible for people with disabilities, the release said.

Salt Lake Film Society has also formed an advisory committee of local business leaders and other stakeholders to inform future repairs and renovations, with an emphasis on environmental sustainability and neighborhood resilience.

The ambitious plans call for restoring the Tower Theatre as a community cinema hub in the future, with special events such as director and actor Q&A sessions, cultural and environmental film screenings, panel discussions, archival film access and other programs.

"SLFS plans to make the Tower renovations a community project that includes engaging local businesses at 9th and 9th, checking in with neighbors (you may be hearing from us soon), stakeholders and patrons, and igniting the passion of cinema lovers from far and wide," the release said. "The Tower is made by community for community, and will remain accessible to all, a movie house and visiting center where people can learn about and talk about their love of cinema."