The Fine Arts Theater is undergoing construction and remodeling.
| Location |
| 115 N. Elm Street, Denton, Texas |
| Hours |
| Reopening is slated for summer of 2025. |
| Phone |
| Website |
| https://dentonrc.com/news/denton/denton-s-fine-arts-theater-gets-1-6m-funding-bump-for-renovations-from-the-city/article_f0b21969-a301-5ede-9a1e-a5a8084dd573.html |
| Owners |
| Fine Arts Theater, LLC |
| Established |
| The Fine Arts Theater first opened in 1935 as the Texas Theater, name changed in 1957. After a fire in 1981, the theater was used off and on for various groups and events until completely shuttering around 2014. The reopening is scheduled for 2025 following a complete renovation. |
| Payment Method |
| Unavailable information |
The Fine Arts Theater is one of Denton's historic buildings located on the square. It was used to hold meetings for Calvary Chapel until May 2014, when the church relocated to 1905 McCormick Street.
The Graham Opera House was constructed in 1877 and functioned until around 1890, when the structure was torn down and the building that would become the Fine Arts Theater was erected.
The property that sits on the square today is the one constructed in 1890 on the site of the old opera house. The new building on that spot was the originally the location of the Magil and Shepard Furniture and Undertaking which was then home to George Morrel Furniture Store.
The Texas Theater
On August 28, 1935, the lot ceased to be a commercial furniture business and was remodeled by architect W. Scott Dunne. It was reopened as the Texas Theatre . The “Theatre Row” of the Denton Square was in full swing. The Square was a hot-spot of theaters, housing the likes of the Majestic (turned the Princess), the Dreamland, the Palace, and the Ritz. By 1950, five theaters composed Denton’s Theatre Row.
The Texas Theater in 1942
The Palace and the Dreamland closed in 1956 and the Texas Theatre received a face lift in 1957 and was renamed The Fine Arts Theater.
The Fine Arts Theatre in 1958 after it was renamed
Before the fire in the 70s (photo from Portal to Texas History)
The Fine Arts Theatre operated until December 1981, when it was closed and then reopened as a dollar movie-theater in the following April. However, not even six months later, a fire broke out in one of the upper balconies and the theater closed.
News clipping from 1982 from the Denton Record Chronicle about the Theater fire
The space was used for intermittent performances and church services over the next few decades but as of early 2018, according to the previous owners, it had been vacant for about four years.
Photo from Kera News
However, the property has recently been bought by new owners: Aviation Cinemas and Talented Friends partnered with Axis Realty. The new and improved Fine Arts Theater is going to receive a revitalization while still keeping and preserving the historic building and is slated to open sometime in 2020 as a venue for cinema screenings, live performances, and more.
History Source: https://dentoncountyhistoryandculture.wordpress.com/2019/07/19/the-fine-arts-theater/
Photos and Video
The building in 1938 
Sign on the door.
