Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson is concerned about potential disruption to the Somerville Theatre as a result of its home, the Hobbs Building, being put up for sale and will work to make sure it continues its legacy.
“We are gearing up a planning process for Davis Square, and I can assure you that as we develop our vision for the square, the community will be loud and clear that Somerville Theatre needs to be a part of that future,” Wilson said in a statement emailed to Cambridge Day.
Wilson called the Theatre “a beloved institution in Somerville,” adding that “it’s not only a favorite place for catching a movie — I couldn’t possibly count how many films and shows I’ve seen there over the years — it’s a really unique anchor for the arts and the building is a historical treasure.”
The statement also noted that the theatre has two layers of potential protection from redevelopment:
- Its home, the Hobbs Building, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, giving it access to federal and state historic preservation tax credits. These give owners incentives to carry out historically accurate restorations instead of new construction.
- The city said the building is also a Local Historic District, so alterations to it would require a certificate of appropriateness, a certificate of non-applicability or a certificate of hardship from the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission. An owner would have to prove extreme economic hardship or structural danger to make any significant changes to the exterior architectural design of the building.
The building, as well as the building that the Capitol Theater in Arlington occupies, is owned by the Fraiman family’s Chatham Light Realty trust. Melvin Fraiman, who died in 2022, bought the Hobbs Building in 1984. The Fraimans also operated both theaters until last year, when they transitioned ownership of those businesses to Ian Brownell, Ian Judge, Jamie Mattchen and John “Jay” O’Leary. The four have long been involved with the business as managers, and now operate as CSB (Capitol Somerville Ballroom) Theaters.
The CSB partners have expressed confidence that a sale would not disrupt their operations at least in the short-term because they have a multi-year lease. They issued a statement that said “While the uncertainty surrounding a sale is unnerving for everyone who treasures these places, and especially for those who rely on them for their livelihoods, we’re cautiously optimistic about the future.”
The Hobbs Building, 49-55 Davis Square in Somerville, and the Capitol Theater at 202-218 Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington, have been listed for $12 million each.
Carl Christie, vice president of Hunneman Reality, the firm handling the sale, said it has “received multiple offers” both for individual assets and the portfolio (both theaters and an apartment complex on 36 College Avenue, also in Davis Square). Potential buyers have included investment groups and also some entertainment interests, though he would not confirm speculation, or perhaps wishful thinking, that bidders might include locals who became stars like Ben Affleck and Matt Damon or Mindy Kaling.
Christie said there is no set time for final offers.
This story was updated to include an interview with Carl Christie, who represents the sales broker.
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