In 1947, Houston opened a 700-plus-seat Art Deco theater; 79 years later, after demolition was planned, supporters raised $2.8 million toward saving the $7.1 million property

For generations of Houston residents, the Garden Oaks Theater was more than a place to watch a movie. Opened in 1947, the Art Deco-style cinema became part of the character of the Garden Oaks and Independence Heights area, eventually serving the community for decades before being converted into a church. Nearly eight decades after its opening, the building found itself facing a very different future. Its new owner had planned to demolish the property, putting one of Houston's remaining historic cinemas at risk. But instead of allowing the theater to disappear, a local preservation campaign brought together residents, donors and filmmakers to try to reclaim the site. According to Arthouse Houston, it had raised more than $2.8 million through its community campaign and was moving forward with plans to purchase the property and transform it into an arts and film center.

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