est. 1927

The Historic LaSalle Theatre building, constructed in 1927 and designed by Cleveland architect, Nicola Petti, has always been and continues to be a North Collinwood landmark. The theatre building is located just east of the Waterloo Arts and Entertainment District, and anchors the East 185th Street corridor development of restaurants, galleries and neighborhood services.

Built by the International Savings and Loan Association, the LaSalle was originally a single-screen theatre building, and was the showplace and public meeting place of its day. It was built to be a mixed-used structure that included the theatre as well as their bank branch, retail stores, and apartments. But by the 1990s the theater operation was disbanded, the property languished and fell into disrepair under various owners until the Northeast Shores Development Corporation (NSDC) saved it from demolition. NSDC largely completed Phase I of the restoration work on the 22,000-square foot property between October 2016 and March 2018 and gave the property a second life as a new public showplace. With its restored lobby and three levels of seating/event space, the venue provides flexible space to meet the entertainment needs for weddings, fundraisers, concerts, theatre, awards ceremonies, conferences and expos.

Phase 1 of the restoration work received extensive public and private financing support which also included both Federal and State Historic Tax Credits. Phase I focused on completing major systems and structural repairs (roofing, plumbing, windows, electrical, masonry, flooring) needed to upgrade the theatre space and restore its historic finishes and furnishings as well as the rehabilitation of three (3) street level retail storefronts and five (5) upstairs apartments (affordable, energy efficient housing). A future Phase II of the restoration work will focus on certain upgrades to the building that leverage the initial investment and maximize the number of users and uses for the space. Phase II also includes the improvement of the adjacent parking lot.