SAN FRANCISCO, January 26, 2026 – A familiar West Portal Avenue landmark could soon be transformed into much-needed housing. Plans have been unveiled to replace the former CineArts at the Empire movie theater with a nine-story complex containing 64 rental units.
From Silver Screen to Housing Boom
The shuttered West Portal theater is poised for a major redevelopment, adding to a growing trend of repurposing former movie houses in San Francisco.
- The proposed development would include 64 family-sized rental units-two and three bedrooms.
- The project could receive automatic approval under a state law.
- Owner Jesse Appleton cited the opening of a new multiplex at Stonestown as a factor in abandoning plans for a new theater.
- political headwinds may arise despite the project not utilizing recent upzoning laws.
The Febuary 2021 closure of CineArts at the empire signaled a challenging period for San Francisco movie theaters as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. Now,the building’s owner,the Appleton family,is looking to the future with a new vision. “We want something that is going to endure. we want to stay in this long-term. That is our goal,” Jesse appleton told the Chronicle.
What’s driving the shift from movie theaters to housing in San Francisco? The trend reflects both the challenges facing the film exhibition industry and the city’s ongoing housing crisis. Several defunct theaters have explored similar conversions,including the alexandria Theatre in the richmond District,which has faced delays for nearly three years,and the Clay Theatre on Fillmore Street,where plans to build housing above a restored moviehouse are progressing.
Appleton explained that a new movie theater was considered,but the recent opening of a high-tech multiplex at Stonestown diminished interest from potential operators. The proposed apartments will be “family-sized,” consisting of two- and three-bedroom units available for rent, not for sale as condominiums. The project is positioned to take advantage of a state law that could grant it automatic approval.
However, the development could encounter political resistance. The west side of San Francisco is currently experiencing backlash over Mayor Lurie’s “family zoning” upzoning plan. While this project doesn’t utilize those new zoning laws, its high-profile location could fuel recall efforts against District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar, who has been a proponent of the broader upzoning initiative.
“I want more family housing and I want more rental units specifically, so I’m glad that’s what we are getting,” Melgar told the Chronicle. “I know folks are going to be upset no matter what, the merchants are going to be upset. In the long run it would be fantastic to have that many more customers. It will be short-term pain for a great gain.” She also noted a need for housing options for seniors looking to downsize in the district.
Despite the potential for opposition, the Greater West Portal Neighborhood Association and West Portal Merchants Association have already threatened to spearhead recall efforts. The project is expected to likely break ground in 2027 if all goes according to plan.
