The Oxford Theatre will close its doors for good September 13. The theatre has been a Halifax landmark for the last 80 years.
So what’s next for the corner of Oxford and Quinpool? The developer isn’t really sure himself!
The theatre was bought by Cineplex back in 2013, now it’s owned by Nanco Group – owned by the Nahas family. Norman Nahas told Metro News that an opportunity like this doesn’t come along every day and that the iconic corner has amazing history and is a great spot. There are no set plans in place for a future development but Nahas thinks it will be a mixed-use commercial and residential building. Nanco also owns the building next to the Oxford Theatre so that could expand the footprint of whatever their development plan becomes.
“Nothing’s really been done other than a stick drawing on the back of a napkin … but it’s definitely an opportunity that we’re evaluating as well,” Nahas said.
Nahas also told Metro News that they would like to keep as much of the building’s original structure as possible and maybe build on top of it: “The architecture of the building, the history of the building can’t really be replicated that easy, which is why I want to maintain as much as feasibly possible.
“Once that’s done and I have full access I plan to get in and determine a lot about the existing building and what can be done on it,” he said.
Rules for new developments for peninsular Halifax call for between four and six storeys on the site at Oxford and Quinpool and Nahas plans to follow those guidelines.
What do you think should replace the theatre?
