San Francisco committee recommends landmarking 2261 Fillmore (Clay/Play Theatre)

The Land Use and Transportation Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted April 11 to recommend landmark designation for the former Clay (Play) Theatre at 2261 Fillmore Street, citing its architectural significance and community role.

Planning staff told the committee the theater was built in 1913 as a Nickelodeon and later remodeled by notable theater architect Vincent Ramey; planners said the Historic Preservation Commission unanimously found the building retains sufficient historic and architectural integrity to qualify under Article 10 of the Planning Code. The commission heard six public comments in January and recommended landmarking on Jan. 19, 2022.

Dominica Donovan, legislative aide to the sponsoring supervisor, and planning staff said the designation aims to preserve the theater’s distinctive façade and single‑screen interior so the site can continue to serve cultural uses. Supporters at the meeting included neighborhood groups and the San Francisco Neighborhood Theatre Foundation, which told the committee it had made a 2020 offer to purchase the building for $3,500,000 that was rejected and understood the current asking price to be $6,500,000.

Several residents and neighborhood advocates told the committee the Clay has been a social and cultural anchor for decades; speakers urged the city to preserve the property and to work with the owner to find feasible operators. Planning staff noted the theater was long used for art and foreign‑film programming and said landmark status would help preserve its architecturally significant features for future reuse.

After public comment the committee moved to recommend the ordinance; Supervisors Peskin, Preston and Melgar recorded aye votes and the motion passed with three ayes. The item will proceed to the full Board of Supervisors for consideration.

The committee’s recommendation does not itself change property rights or require the owner to operate the building as a theater; landmark designation would impose review standards designed to protect historic character. Further action by the full Board and subsequent staff work will determine the ordinance’s final language and any conditions attached to the designation.