Commission recommends El Rey Theater for landmark designation

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously April 5 to recommend landmark designation of the El Rey Theater at 1970 Ocean Avenue to the Board of Supervisors.

Planning Department staff presented a designation report prepared by Verplank Historic Preservation Consulting at the request of the Art Deco Society, saying the 1931 El Rey Theater is a rare remaining Art Deco movie theater in the city with character‑defining interior spaces such as its lobby and auditorium. Staff told commissioners the building meets the Commission’s priorities for underrepresented property types and geographically underrepresented areas and noted eight letters of support and no known neighborhood opposition.

Shannon Ferguson (Planning Department) told the Commission staff had met with the property owner and continued to work on a potential project, and recommended the Historic Preservation Commission recommend the Article 10 landmark designation to the Board of Supervisors: “The department recommends the HPC recommend landmark designation to the Board of Supervisors.”

Neighborhood supporters including Dan Weaver of the Ocean Avenue Association, Alex Mulaney (organizer of Save El Rey) and OMI native Nikky Transvenia described the theater’s cultural value to the community and urged approval. Mulaney said Save El Rey organized roughly 60 neighbors in support of the nomination.

On a motion to recommend landmark designation, the Commission voted 7–0 in favor. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for a final decision under the city’s landmark designation procedures.

The Commission adjourned after the vote.