Grand Lake Theatre Sold To Longtime Leaseholder

OAKLAND, CA – The Grand Lake Theatre was sold last week to Allen Michaan, the longtime leaseholder of the venerable Oakland movie palace.

Michaan purchased the Grand Lake for $3.75 million from descendants of Louis Kaliski and Abraham C. Karski, who built the theater in 1926.

Michaan had been operating the theater at 3200 Grand Ave. under a 95-year lease that would have ended in 2023. He said today that he has many restoration and renovation projects in mind -- including work on the theater's vintage neon sign -- and will apply to have it listed with the National Register of Historic Places.

"The long-term preservation of the theater has been ensured by this purchase," Michaan said.

After he purchased the lease 38 years ago, Michaan began renovating and expanding. In 1981, the balcony of the main auditorium was plit to create an upstairs auditorium.

In 1985, with the purchase of neighboring storefronts, Michaan created two smaller auditoriums, one with an Egyptian atmosphere and the other a Moorish palace.

The sale comes during the theater's most successful year, marked by three recent movies set in Oakland: "Black Panther," "Sorry to Bother You" and "Blindspotting."

ALSO COMING UP NEARBY:

• Scottish Highland Gathering & Games 2018: Fairgrounds, Pleasanton
• Rail Fair 2018 - Train Rides & Music: Ardenwood Farm, Fremont
• 2018 Fall Festival - Crafts, Music & Kids' Fun: Castro Valley
• 'Relics on Railroad' Antiques, Appraisals & Art Faire: Danville
• Battlestar Cornhole & Craft Beer Fest: USS Hornet, Alameda
• Final 'Day To Play' -Closing Of Playland-Not-At-Beach, El Cerrito
• Solano Avenue Stroll & Parade 2018: Berkeley & Albany

-- Shutterstock image via natnn