The city issued a permit Feb. 28 for the $1.4 million renovation of the two-story, 13,320-square-foot theater space in the Five Points Theater building at 1028 Park St. for Marathon Music, which will operate the FIVE live-music venue.
Avant Construction Group of Jacksonville is the contractor for the two-story, 13,320-square-foot space.
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.
There are restrooms on both levels.
The theater was the former Sun-Ray Cinema, which had operated a two-screen movie theater in the building since 2011. Its lease expired and was not renewed. It closed July 6.
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.
FiveJax.com posts that the first show is The Emo Night Tour on March 21. Live music performances are booked into October.
Work has been ongoing.
The city issued a permit Nov. 26 for Avant Construction Group to start interior demolition in the 12,000-square-foot theater space.
The permit allowed 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.
The permits are part of Union South Partners’ plans for a $2 million investment to renovate the historic building.
Marathon Live, a venue management company based in Nashville, Tennessee, announced July 8 that the former Sun-Ray Cinema in Five Points would become a live music venue in January that will be called FIVE.
According to its website, Marathon Live provides turnkey services, including booking performers, marketing, ticketing, event operations and food and beverages tailored for each event.
City Council enacted legislation 2025-0008 on Jan. 11 to grant a zoning exception for FIVE to sell and serve liquor, beer and wine for on-premises consumption.
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 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.
The theater space 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 theater closed in the 1970s because of the growth of suburban multiscreen cinemas.
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.
The Urban Division of Colliers International is the leasing agent for the building.
Its brochure shows that first-floor retail and restaurant space are available.
Office space is available on the second, third and fourth floors.