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Planning Commission approves reuse of Harding Theatre with arcade‑bar operator and seven new housing units
Summary
The commission unanimously approved a conditional use to restore and adaptively reuse the long‑vacant Harding Theatre as an Emporium arcade/bar with room for screenings and live events, paired with a seven‑unit residential infill on the same lot; parking and loading variances were taken under advisement.
SAN FRANCISCO — The Planning Commission on Nov. 19 approved a conditional use authorization to repurpose the historic Harding Theatre on Divisadero as an Emporium arcade/bar/entertainment venue while approving a seven‑unit residential infill on the vacant portion of the lot.
Planning staff presented the project as an adaptive reuse that preserves the Divisadero façade and retains the majority of character‑defining features. Preservation planner Shelly Kalsidurani told the commission the proposal meets the Secretary of the Interior Standards for rehabilitation; staff found the proposed removable platform flooring preserves the underlying tiered floor so the space could be returned to traditional fixed seating in the future.
Project representative David Silverman said the venue would host live entertainment and film screenings, include arcade games and pinball, and create approximately 25 local jobs. Operator Danny Marks said his Emporium venues in Chicago mix games, craft beverage programs and frequent live events, with operators staging fundraisers, film nights and community gatherings.
Opposition came from Save Our Theaters and other advocates who urged preserving the theater in a form closer to a traditional movie or performance house, warning that removing fixed seating could limit future theatrical uses. “When you get rid of the seating and you have it where you’s secondary, you have no focused audience,” said Greg Stevens of Save Our Theaters.
Commissioners balanced the preservation and operational concerns by approving the conditional use with modified conditions: the commission removed a restrictive staff hour condition so code‑allowed hours remain available, asked the sponsor to work with neighbors on operations, added a finding encouraging on‑site food partnerships to moderate late‑night effects, and required a six‑month post‑opening memo from staff reviewing impacts and operations. The zoning administrator closed the public hearing on related parking and off‑street loading variances and took the variances under advisement.
What happens next: zoning administrator review will continue for off‑street loading and parking setback variances; the project sponsor and operator will work with neighbors on operations and staff will report back six months after opening.
