Interior demolition can start in the Five Points Theater building to start conversion for the Marathon Live “FIVE” live music venue that posts it will open in January.
The city issued a permit Nov. 26 for Jacksonville-based Avant Construction Group to start the work in the 12,000-square-foot theater space at 1028 Park St.
Compass Group Inc. of Yulee is the agent for the permit to convert the former Sun-Ray Cinema space. Sun-Ray, which closed July 6, announced this month it will open in Tampa.
The permit allows for the $100,000 project to demolish nonstructural elements, finishes and seating in preparation for the replacement and installation of new finishes in the theater space.
Union South Partners plans a $2 million investment to renovate the historic building.
The city is reviewing a permit application for the estimated $1.2 million renovation of the two-story, 13,320-square-foot theater space.
Marathon Music is listed on plans as the owner of the space in the project. HJM Architects Inc. of Kansas City, Missouri, is the architect.
Plans show the first level with a stage performance area; concentrated standing and seating space; more standing space; a kitchen; a prefunction lounge; the backstage and greenroom area; business space; an office and box office; the loading dock; and more uses.
The second level of the Five Points Theater has a mezzanine that overlooks the first level along with a kitchen, seating and standing areas, business space and a greenroom.
The second level has a mezzanine that overlooks the first level along with a kitchen, seating and standing areas, business space and a greenroom.
There are restrooms on both levels.
Marathon Live, a venue management company based in Nashville, Tennessee, announced July 8 that the former Sun-Ray Cinema in Five Points will become a live music venue in January that will be called FIVE.
The FiveJax.com site shows the venue coming in January 2025 and events starting in February featuring Alexandra Kay and Dirtwire. March performances include Zach Top, Hulvey, Tribal Seeds, The Emo Night Tour and the BoDeans. Zach Top’s two shows are sold out, according to the theater’s Facebook page.
According to its website, Marathon Live provides turnkey services, including booking performers, marketing, ticketing, event operations and food and beverages tailored for each event.
The four-story, 35,000-square-foot building, designed by architect Roy Benjamin was built in 1927 and opened as the Riverside Theatre. It was the first theater in Jacksonville to screen films with sound while also accommodating live theater performances.
The building also has tenants occupying retail and office spaces that will remain in place for the duration of their existing lease agreements.
Andrew Seng and Jay Weaver, founders of Union South Partners of Decatur, Georgia, bought the building May 16 for $7 million through 1028 Park LLC. The seller was the Shad family through 5 Points Theatre Building LLC.
“The Five Points Theater building has played an iconic role in helping shape this neighborhood during the past century, and we intend to keep its historic roots as an entertainment and retail complex intact,” Seng said in a news release.
The venue opened and closed a few times during the 1930s and 1940s before being remodeled in 1949 and reopening under the name that remains today, the Five Points Theater building.
The space later functioned as a live acting theater run by the River City Playhouse before transitioning in 1991 into Club 5, which presented live music performances. Club 5 closed in 2004.
The Shad family acquired the building in 2004 for $2 million and invested $5 million in renovations, restoring its original façade and also securing historic landmark designation from the city.
The building currently has retail and office space available for lease under the new ownership.
In addition to renovations planned for the theater and retail spaces, the new owner is planning a modernization of the office lobby, common areas and restrooms.
Colliers International is the leasing agent for the building.