Credit Herald

ST. LOUIS — The Avalon Theater, dark for a decade and fallen into severe disrepair, is for sale — for $1 million, as is.

Bjaye Greer, listing agent for the property for the Realty Exchange, said that SOPO Corp. put the property up for sale last month. Some clarification of the building’s ownership still needs to be resolved in court, but Greer hopes a redeveloper or preservationist will soon buy the old theater, in the South Kingshighway commercial district near Chippewa Street.

Greer said the 8,500-square-foot building could be sold for renovation and adapted reuse or torn down for redevelopment.

"That’s up to whomever buys it and what they are able to do within city and zoning parameters," Greer said. The entire lot is about 25,000 square feet.

"It was a beautiful building and supposedly one of the best Art Deco buildings in St. Louis to save," Greer added. "I was hoping someone could restore it and save it. But I also know that the area is a real prime spot for redevelopment."

The area around the Avalon, 4225 South Kingshighway, was once a hub of south St. Louis activities, a destination for shoppers as well as moviegoers. The theater opened in 1935 as one of St. Louis’ "movie palaces."

Now, the building is missing large sections of the shingled roof and has a barricade instead of a box office. The property is now condemned, cited scores of times by the city for building code violations.

LANDMARK STATUS?

The Landmarks Association of St. Louis last spring put the theater at the top of its list of most-endangered historic properties. Many neighbors see it as a significant neighborhood landmark that should be preserved.

Others call it an eyesore and a threat to the health and safety of the neighborhood. They want it torn down as soon as possible.

The area’s alderman, Stephen Gregali, believes the building is probably doomed. He called the theater a "a never-ending story."

"I’d like to see some venue there, but we have made numerous attempts," he said. "We’ve tried to take it off their (the owners) hands, but they blew us off."

Gregali said the city also offered business assistance.

"Since the building has deteriorated, we may have no alternative but to tear it down," Gregali said. "The last time I was in the building 18 months ago, I had to wear a mask and a hat — the mold is that bad. It’s like ‘The Blob’ movie come to life.

"It’s really a shame because other than the Chase and Moolah and Hi-Pointe, we don’t really have movie theaters in the city. I have had theater and club groups approach me … but unfortunately, they want the building for nothing."

Richard Dempsey, an attorney representing SOPO, could not be reached for comment.

The attempt to sell the building is proceeding even though the building is the subject of a suit filed by the city in May in St. Louis Circuit Court.

The suit seeks to clarify the property’s ownership.

That is complicated because SOPO Corp., which has owned the theater since 1977, has been defunct since 1983, and its last known principals, Constantin and Kay Tsevis, are deceased.

"We don’t believe anybody has clear title to the Avalon Theater so we’ve asked the court to assign somebody to speak for the defunct corporation and take the necessary steps to transfer title to an actual person or valid legal entity," said Erika Zaza, an assistant city counselor.

Zaza said that at the city’s request, Circuit Judge Robert H. Dierker last month appointed one of the Tsevises’ heirs, Larry Tsevis, as the trustee to act on behalf of SOPO. His role will be to distribute assets to shareholders, or wind down the business. That will require the probate estate to be reopened. Once the probate matters are clarified, city officials say, there should be a clear title, allowing for the sale.

Also the city would have a legal owner that would be responsible for the current condition of the property. City officials said they wanted to make sure there was a clear title and if necessary they want to be able to hold the owners responsible for any neglect.

Dierker will hold another hearing on the matter on Sept. 14.

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