The preservation and restoration of the Majestic Theatre and the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre and the development of the San Antonio Performing Arts Center is a public/non-profit/for-profit partnership aimed at revitalizing downtown San Antonio.

Details of the Transaction

The City of San Antonio purchased the Majestic Theatre and the Majestic Building from 216 East Houston Street Ltd. and the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre and the Brady Building from NCNB Texas in November, 1988.

The Empire Theatre was renamed by the City of San Antonio in 1998 as the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre to recognize a $1 million gift by Charline and B.J. (Red) McCombs; this gift enabled Las Casas to complete the preservation and restoration of the theatre.

Role of the City

In October, 1987, the City Council of San Antonio approved the purchase agreement to buy the land beneath the Majestic Theatre, the Majestic Building, the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre and the Brady Building. The City Council then voted in September, 1988 to amend the original purchase agreement for the project to include the purchase of the Majestic Theatre and the Ch arline McCombs Empire Theatre; the purchase was in lieu of leasing the theatres at a reduced cost to the City over the first 30 years of the project. Under the amended agreement, the City would own both theatres, the land beneath the theatres and the land beneath both buildings. The theatres were then master leased to the Foundation for Cultural Arts in San Antonio, popularly known as Las Casas, for preservation and restoration purposes. The City retained the use of the theatres for 200 bookings per year for 25 years with five five-year renewal options; the 200 bookings were comprised of 115 nights at the Majestic Theatre (dedicated to the San Antonio Symphony) and 85 nights at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre.

Role of Las Casas

The Majestic Theatre and the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre were master leased to Las Casas, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization which was founded in 1988. Under the lease agreement, Las Casas received rights and responsibilities normally attributed to the owner. The initial function of Las Casas was to raise funds for and oversee the preservation and restoration of the two historic theatres. Additionally, Las Casas planned to develop the theatre complex into a Performing Arts Center.

Role of Arts Center Enterprises, Inc.

Arts Center Enterprises, Inc. (ACE) was retained by Las Casas to manage the Majestic Theatre and the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre. ACE is responsible for the overall management of the theatre complex which includes programming, marketing, maintenance, etc. In addition to rent payments to Las Casas, ACE is responsible for all theatre operating expenses.