The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-06
Playhouse to be Built at
Once at Eighth and
Grace.
APPROVE PLANS
IN TWO WEEKS
Building Will Cost 100000.
Structures Now on Lot to Be
Razed-Supposition Is That
Theatre Will Be Used
for Vaudeville
Purposes.

Completing negotiations which have
covered the better part of four months
u deal was closed yesterday morning
whereby II. S. WalIerstein. owner OF
the property at the southeast corner
OF Eighth anu Grace Streets, agrees 10
build a theatre according to plans to be
acceptable to Jake Wells, Representing
a New York syndicate. The exact pur-
pose for which the new building is 10
be used was not made public, although
ii Is surmised that it will be devoted
to vaudeville. l5l
AS printed exclusively in The Times
Dispatch some week ago, ". Greanor
Neal made the positive statement that
a new theatre would soon be built in
this city. The deal Of yesterday con
firms the promise Of Mr.. Neal. The
new building is to cost 100000, " III
be modern in every detail of absolute
hreproof construction, will seat approx
imately 1900 people. and will be
equipped in the most up-to-date man
ner. The lot fronts sixty-seven feet
six Inches on Grace Street ana III
feet on Eighth Street
Plans for the new building VIII be
drawn at once. and are expected to be
completed within the next two weeks.
Work of razing the buildings on the
site Will be begun at once. The build
Ing at the corner OF Eighth and Grace
and the two houses Immediately in the
reac of this building. facing on Eighth.
VIII be torn down to make way for the
improvement. 1t Is believed tina, the
new theatre Will be ready for occupancy
by next October.
Improve Academy.
In the meanwhile. it is also believed
I'm fact, Mr.. Neal makes the state
ment--that the Academy of Music will
be improved Immediately after the con
clus!on Of the stock season, which will
end about June l. These contemplatet {;
improvements will include placing a re-
firing room and n smoking room in the
theatre. widening the aisles and en-
larsing the several exits besides pro-
Siding for more room on the stage.
IT Is also rumored that there NAV be
sweeping changes in the theatrical
situation in Richmond, though such
changes will improve rather than in
lure the prospects Of the city as the
atrical centre. At present the Bitou,
me Colonial, the Academy AMI now the
new theatre. fof which no name has
been adopted, are controlled By sepa
rate companies. though most of the
men interested in one are interested
in all.
Form Holding Company.
NO definite statement could he Sc
cured from Jake Wells as to the
changes. but ii was gathered from talks
WITH those most interested that the
next move would be TO form a holding
corporation. which would take over ali
Of the interests in the city. Such an
arran ement II is said. would simply
be following lines laid down by other
successful business enterprises. whose
interests had multiplied to such an ex
tent that combina ton was necessary
Tor continued success
speak King Of the new theatre. Mr.
Wells. who represents the people for
"hom 1t Is to be built, said. "This Is no
wildcat scheme on our part. For
months we have known that the growth
OF richmond along all other lines
would eventually means its growtA
along theatrical lines. The deal lust
crossed simply means that that time has
come. We are building the theatre be-
cause we believe that there Is room 70,
1t In bigger Richmond
when complete. the building will
represent an investment of 500. 600
exclusive of the lot on which i, 10 he
Ing built. We have been after ,bo sit,
ior long time. but there would ALWAYS
arise some slight difficulty which could
oHly be removed by waiting. We wait
ca patiently for conditions which would
mean the consummat ton of our plans.
Likes the Location,
believe that the building vii,
acorn Richmond The location Is al.
most IN the heart OF the city. easily
accessible and being SO close to the
Iaeademy, and but n block from the
bllou and the Colonial, will help make
mat section of the city the Great
Whlte way Of the South Just al
present can't say positively for what
purpose the theatre will be used. ms,
make IT positive that 1t Will be used
IN few days I may be able to give
more definite information along theee
lines" ''e ese
While Mr.. Wells and Mr.. Neal were
le.iceht regarding the purpose for
winch the new building is IN he need
others were not so particnlar M,
talking. Indeed, many were posi,ive in
me statement that the new theatre
would be built for vaudeville hn,,se
ana that no less a concern than ,be
United Booking Offices would sI,nnIy
me attractions. This much is certain.
JAKE Wells and his business partners
control the franchise Of that concern
iof this city. 1t seems likewise Ger.
I'm mat the house Will not be use!
, ,oI Ihy OF the high-class attractions
which play at tho Academy.
1t Will mean much to Richmond This
new theatre. and the announcement
mat IT is positively to be built will
orins pleasure to hundreds who re-
JORGE to soc the city improve. The
property on which the building Is t.
oe placed is estimated TO be worth
$4,000. u -
MIR. Wells left last night for Atlanta
% attend to some of his other inter.
ests.