Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-30
NEW THEATRE SECURED
Contracts Closed For Vaudeville
and Family House.
Mcssrs. Lcath, wolls and Neal soouro
Through w. Fl. II. Trico s. Co.. Location
on CRANKY Street VIII Begin Building
at once-History of the Deal.

Norfolk is to have new, flrst-class,
up-to-date vaudeville and family the
atre, and work on the same will be be-
gun within the next sixty days, pos
sibly within thirty.
This is not guess work. but fact, as
the lot is secured. contracts signed and
purchase money paid. The new vaude-
Vile theatre will be new from bed-stone
OF foundation wall to the final course
on Its roof, and will cost between $685.
600 and $4,000 for the building alone.
The contract was closed yesterday at 1
o'clock p m. the signing having been
done at noon.
The proprietors are Thomas G. Leath.
the well-known theatre owner and les
see; Jake" Wells. co-lessee of the
Richmond Bijou, vaudeville theatre.
and w. j. Neal, the latter a very prom
inent tobacco man OF Richmond; the
successful negotiators of the enterprise,
the firm of w. ii. ii. Trice & Co, the
big real estate and rental agents, and
the lot secured-that section of the
Dickson property, on CRANKY street,
next northeast OF the Monticello Ho-
tel. 65x120 feet, with driveway in the
rear, owned by w. C. Dickson and
Mrs. NJ. L. Cooke, splendid location,
central, easily reached, and on what is
last becming the most fashionable
business thoroughfare in the port.
Messrs. TTice have been negotiating
with Messrs. Leath, Wells and Neal for
several weeks. and the successful cul-
mination of their work is no little tri-
umph for the firm. They first en-
deavorcd to secure the Jewish Syna-
goSuc property on Freemason street, at
the corner of Monticello avenue (for-
merly Tripoli street extended), for
which they offered $4,000 cash. Their
offer was accepted Professionally, on the
ground that they secured n new loca-
ton for the synagogue. This they did
in the vacant lot next the residence of
Hon. Barton Myers. on Bank street,
but for some reason the deal fell
through. and after some time spent in
trying other localities, the present one
was at last secured.
Messrs. Leath. Wells and Neal we're
here Wednesday, and when they left
only the final details were left to be
completed. These were made secure
yesterday and the matter was soon
closed by telegraph and ratified by let
ter.
Parties in Philadelphia were wired to
yesterday TO prepare plans and speci-
tcations at once. and bids Will shortly
be asked for on these plans.
The front will be on CRANKY street,
siXty-five feet wide,with two fine stores
on the street, and the theatre building
ut the rear. reached by n modern lob
by and entrance. The building will be
up to date in every particular. thor
oughly furnished and fitted for the best
class of patrons. The highest class
vaudeville only will be presented, and
the management will take pride in
making the house to Norfolk what
Kelth's is to New York
Work will be begun as quickly as
possible, that next fall and winter sea-
sons may be billed with this house on
the schedule of the best companies
Situated as it is. next the Monticello
and opposite Tazewell street and the
New York. Philadelphia and Norfolk
and Chesapeake and Ohio steamer en-
trance, nothing but first-class house
will do for the place. and the size OF