Fairfield Community Theater bought by SHU, Kleban Properties

Fairfield’s long-shuttered Community Theater will entertain residents once more.

Sacred Heart University announced Tuesday that it is partnering with Kleban Properties to give the defunct movie theater, which has been dormant for almost a decade, a facelift.

SHU recently signed a 10-year lease with Fairfield-based developers negotiating the purchase of the property at the corner of Post and Unquowa roads.

“We plan to turn this into a contemporary venue for the university and the community while maintaining much of the classical features that have been part of downtown Fairfield for 100 years,” said SHU President John J. Petillo in a press release. “That we can breathe new life into this building after years of dormancy is truly exciting.”

Developers will turn the theater into the Sacred Heart University Community Theater, an arts and education site that will provide a range of events including high-profile lectures, author talks, unique films, concerts and performances to students and the community.

Kleban Properties will handle the redevelopment based on Sacred Heart’s specifications, according to a press release. The Fairfield-based developers already have several holdings in Fairfield —among their national portfolio — including the Brick Walk plaza downtown.

“What we plan…is going to be absolutely transformative,” said Albert Kleban, chairman of Kleban Properties. “This is going to change Fairfield’s center dramatically.”

Preliminary plans call for a full-scale renovation of the former movie theater, which opened in 1920 and closed in 2011. The theater will have at least 400 seats.

SHU vice president for finance Mike Kinney said in an email to Hearst...

from Business https://www.ctpost.com/business/article/Fairfield-Community-Theater-bought-by-SHU-Kleban-13901628.php