Oakland Theater Project said Oct. 22 that it signed a 10-year lease, with an option to buy, on the former New Parish music venue at 1743 San Pablo Ave. in downtown Oakland.

Why it matters: The New Parish closed late last year, and fans worried the building would be lost. Instead, it will stay a performance space.

The plan

  • The building is about 13,000 square feet, KQED reported.
  • Plans include a 200-seat main theater, a second smaller theater, backstage areas, an expanded lobby and bar, and an outdoor courtyard.
  • The company is aiming to open to audiences in late spring 2027, KQED reported.
  • Besides its own plays, the center will host concerts, talks, screenings and classes. The company said it will partner with a concert presenter, to be named.

Why the move

Managing Director Colin Mandlin told KQED the company often sells out its current 80-seat downtown space and has had to take shows to bigger venues, often outside Oakland. Its budget has quadrupled since 2021, he said.

The building was a music venue for decades, first as Sweet Jimmie's and then as the New Parish. The purchase and renovation are still planned, not completed.

Sources: KQED; Oakland Theater Project; San Francisco Chronicle.