The Clyde Theatre is located at 1808 Bluffton Rd. and is an iconic Art Deco structure on the southwest side of downtown Fort Wayne within Quimby Village Center. Quimby Village is tucked along the St. Mary’s River and River Greenway just north of Foster Park. This project will amplify the current influx of new life into the historical neighborhoods in the immediate area.
Re-purposing this unique, vacant space into a must-have quality-of-life amenity is the necessary catalyst for further transformative economic investment and community impact in this targeted revitalization area of south Fort Wayne.
The Clyde is one of several early twentieth century landmark buildings in Indiana designed by acclaimed architect, Alvin M. Strauss. Among his other commissioned local works are the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, the Lincoln Bank Tower and the Historic Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne and the Brokaw Theatre in Angola.
For over 40 years, The Clyde was a vibrant cornerstone of commerce and entertainment in Northeast Indiana, operating as a cinema theatre that provided up to 1,782 seats for moviegoers. The Clyde ceased operations as a movie theatre in the early 1990s, and has since remained vacant. The Clyde’s closure and long-term vacancy has left a once vibrant area deserted and in disrepair.
In May of 2012 EKEP Managing Partner Rick Kinney purchased the vacant property to fulfill his dream of opening a mid-size general admission concert hall with a vision to bring The Clyde back as a leading arts and entertainment destination in the Midwest.
Recently EKEP has worked with MSKTD & Assoc. Architectural firm towards the completion of construction documentation. Now that full construction documents are complete, the final phase of renovation is expected to begin in early 2017. To date, EKEP has invested over $400,000 in stabilization efforts and has committed another $3mm in private funding towards the final 2017 phase of the project.
Renovations include complete HVAC replacement, insulation/envelope improvements, plaster repair, interior/exterior paint, floor finishes, audio, video, lighting, rigging, communications equipment additions, security system upgrades, dressing room additions, stage loading dock addition, stage extension, electrical upgrades, plumbing upgrades, ADA compatibility upgrades, exterior facade/roof repair, fire protection/sprinkler system, windows, doors, service bars, and an overhaul of the 6 acre parking lot.
