Roxie Theater on the Verge of Buying Its Building, Launches Capital Campaign

The Roxie Theater, a historic 113-year-old cinema in San Francisco’s Mission District, is making strides to secure its future by purchasing its building outright. The theater has launched a fundraising campaign with a goal of $7 million, of which they have already raised $5. 5 million, demonstrating strong community support. Executive director Lex Sloan highlighted that owning the building is crucial for making substantial investments in technology and programming. This initiative comes as the Roxie is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, with 2025 projected to be its best year for attendance since the pre-COVID peak in 2019.

Next week, the Roxie will host director David Cronenberg for a Q&A following the screening of his new film, The Shrouds, and will be awarded the prestigious Mel Novikoff Award at the SFFILM Festival. Sloan noted the fears of displacement in a fluctuating rental market, underscoring the importance of the theater's ownership. The deal involves not just the main theater but also the adjacent Little Roxie and the bar Dalva, further solidifying the Roxie's presence in the neighborhood. This campaign is about much more than just acquiring property; it symbolizes the theater's commitment to remaining a cherished institution for generations to come.