Westside residents can expect the area’s new Grove Park Performing and Cultural Arts Center to be open by the first quarter of 2027, according to Grove Park Foundation Executive Director Gavin McGuire.
The Grove Park Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at revitalizing the Grove Park neighborhood, was founded in 2017 and purchased the historic Grove Theatre, located at 1576 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway NW, that same year. The nonprofit has since been working to convert the theater into a community and arts center.
“We added the performing and cultural arts side of things to show respect to the community and really make sure that we highlight the legacy residents – the pioneers in the community within the space, not only for performing arts, but leaders of the community,” McGuire said.
The restoration project has received financial support from numerous sources, including $1 million each from the Bank of America and Chick-Fil-A, as well as grants from the Fox Theatre. According to a spokesperson for the Grove Park Foundation, the total budget for the project is $5.1 million.
In February of 2024, Urbanize Atlanta reported that the renovation plans for the theater call for additional office space, storage space, and a break room on the second floor. The theater would be on the ground floor, and the building’s facade would be restored. The renovation also includes flexible performances and studio spaces and retail space. A Grove Park Foundation spokesperson added that the project is 10,000 square feet in size.
The Grove Theatre originally opened in June of 1941 and shuttered in 1969. According to McGuire, the space has gone through many iterations since that time, including a skating rink and a pawn shop.
“Refurbishing [the theatre] also brings hope to the community – to see the investment in the community, but also more importantly, seeing that another node of commercial development and growth is happening on the West Side and in Grove Park in particular, in an area that hasn’t always been receiving investments and revitalization,” McGuire said.
McGuire said the Grove Park Foundation operates by four pillars: Housing, Economic Mobility, Health and Wellness, and Education. Part of the Grove Theatre project includes retail space the foundation hopes to fill with local businesses currently taking part in what McGuire called the nonprofit’s “Business Ready” program, which debuted in January of this year.
“We’re not just looking at a moment, but how do we build a sustainable model to build the confidence that people need to be whole within the community as all the great things are being built?” McGuire said. “[We want] to help families to grow and to expand and to thrive, but not be displaced as all of this great growth is coming to Grove Park.”
The performing and cultural arts center will be located across the street from KIPP Woodson Park Academy and the area’s YMCA Early Leaning Center, which the foundation helped open back in 2021. McGuire said he hopes the proximity will make it easier to expose kids in Grove Park to the arts.
“The community is excited because for those performing arts options, you normally have to leave the community,” McGuire said. “They’re able to not only stay in their community, but fellowship with their neighbors.”
This article has been updated with comments from the Grove Park Foundation, including an updated number for the budget for the restoration project.