Committee OKs amendment to Castro Theater landmark review to include interior and cultural significance

The Land Use and Transportation Committee on May 23 voted to initiate an amendment to the Castro Theater's local landmark designation, asking planning and historic preservation staff to prepare a designation report that considers the theater's full historical, architectural and cultural significance, explicitly "including but not limited to the interior." The change was accepted as a non‑substantive amendment and the item was forwarded to the full Board.

Jacob Bintliff, appearing on behalf of Supervisor Rafael Mandelmann, said the Nasser family has owned and operated the Castro as a movie palace and performance venue since it opened in 1922 and that the family has announced operations will transition to Another Planet Entertainment. Bintliff said the current 1977 designation focuses on exterior features and does not specifically cover interior elements or cultural significance typically included in more recent landmark designations. "The Castro is a beloved San Francisco landmark... the significance of this space extends well beyond the Spanish baroque facade and iconic marquee," he said.

Multiple public speakers urged protections for the interior and cultural uses. John Goldsmith, a longtime Castro resident and artist, said he supports "this amendment to landmark the Castro Theater inside and out" and urged the committee not to allow the interior to be flattened for multi‑stage configurations. Mary Conde of Another Planet Entertainment said their plans include deferred maintenance and reversible interior alterations to allow ADA access and to run HVAC while preserving the option to restore the space later: "It's always been our intention to alter the space in a way that can be reversed," she said.

Supervisor Peskin offered language to explicitly include interior features; deputy city attorney staff confirmed that insertion would not be substantive and would not require additional public comment. The committee voted and recorded ayes from supervisors listed on the roll; Chair Melgar announced the motion passes and the item will be transmitted to the Board as a committee report.

The Planning Department and Historic Preservation Commission were asked to report back with recommendations that capture architectural, interior and cultural considerations as the theater approaches its centennial.