Landmark Theatres announced Downer Theatre would be closing its doors on Tuesday, Sept. 19 through a social media post. Downer Theatre would have celebrated 108 years in December 2023.
“Landmark Theatres is constantly evaluating its business strategy and has decided to close the Landmark Downer Theatre,” the company said in a press release“We are proud to have served its community over its many years of operation. We look forward to adding new Landmark Theatres soon, including our newest location, Landmark Theatre Sunset, that opened this summer on June 15 in Los Angeles, California.”
Landmark Theatres bought their Downer location in 1989, and upgraded it from a 1200-seating single theatre to a double theatre that seats roughly 1000. Landmark previously operated The Oriental Theatre until Milwaukee Film took over the lease in 2018.
History of Downer Theatre
Downer Theatre has changed hands many times throughout its century-long lifetime. It was first built in 1915 by real estate broker Oscar Brachman, who contracted with Martin Tullgren & Sons to design the building.
When it opened, former Paramount Theater Manager Nathan J. Blumberg was hired to manage the space. A Milwaukee-made Weickhardt organ and a Sohner piano acquired from J.B. Bradford Piano Co. had been installed. Elwyn Owen played the piano and lead the theatre’s orchestra.
Three years after it opened, Jack Silliman bought the lease from Brachman. Silliman would later go on to own the Avalon, the Lake in Bay View, the Miramar, the Astor, the Jackson and the Venetian. Warner Brothers also owned Downer Theatre in the 1930s, and remodeled the front to hold a two-sided marquee.
Downer Theatre also closed during the pandemic in March 2020, only to be the first theatre to re-open in Milwaukee five months later.
A Growing Trend
In the wake of the pandemic, many theatres have closed. Downer marks the fourth theatre to close in Milwaukee in the last month. Marcus Theatres has closed several locations including Saukville, Southgate and Franklin; the Southgate location was their last theatre in Milwaukee.
The Fox Bay Cinema Grill in Whitefish Bay has also closed, and the Rosebud Cinema is yet to reopen. However, a joint statement between Milwaukee Film, Bridge33 Capital and Downer Avenue Business Improvement District hints at a future for Milwaukee’s oldest theatre.
“We have high hopes in finding a solution that continues to respect the tradition and historical integrity surrounding this incredible theatre that’s been a foundational institution in Milwaukee’s beloved Downer Avenue Commercial District for more than a century,” Downer Avenue Business Improvement District President Michael DeMichele said.
“We are honored to be a part of this active conversation and excited about this possibility,”Milwaukee Film CEO Johnathan Jackson said. “We will always champion fostering cinematic spaces and artistic voices and experiences in our community to bring people together any way we can.”
Bridge33 Capital acquired most of the properties on Downer Avenue including Boswell Book Company, Cafe Hollander, Starbucks, Stone Creek Coffee and Downer Theatre in an $11.25 million purchase in April 2020.
“We remain committed to continuing our efforts for commercial and community success and are excited for what the future holds,” Bridge33 Capital Chief Investment Officer Julio Siberio said.
Header & body photo: Johnstanbul, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons