1 Screen, 200 Seats
Clay Theatre
This business has not yet been claimed by the owner or a representative.
The historic Clay Theatre in San Francisco, originally opened around 1910 and long cherished as a cornerstone of the city’s arthouse cinema scene, is set for a highly anticipated revival. After closing in 2020 and sitting vacant for five years, the landmark single-screen theater on Fillmore Street will be restored and reopened by 2026 thanks to a major investment led by tech investor Neil Mehta and the nonprofit Upper Fillmore Revitalization Project. The renovation will preserve the Clay’s iconic marquee and neon signage while modernizing the interior with updated projection systems, seismic upgrades, and a redesigned 200-seat auditorium expected to host over 500 screenings annually. The new vision includes a mix of first-run films, repertory classics, filmmaker Q&As, and cinema-centered community events. Led by creative director Ted Gerike, the revitalized Clay aims to honor its legacy as a hub for independent and international cinema — a reputation it built under previous owners like Mel Novikoff and Landmark Theatres. For the Bay Area’s film community, the return of the Clay represents more than nostalgia: it’s a symbol of resilience and hope for neighborhood theaters in this era.
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