Fox Theater Foundation purchases Nile Theater, setting stage for arts expansion

Oct. 24—The future of the arts downtown looks a bit brighter with news that the Fox Theater Foundation acquired the Nile Theater.

On Tuesday, the foundation announced it took ownership of the neighboring 19th Street venue thanks to a "generous gift" from Cynthia Lake. (No dollar amount was disclosed in the news release.)

John Enriquez, the foundation's former board president and founding member of Keep Bakersfield Beautiful, approached Lake in 2022 about the potential of adding the Nile to the Fox Theater Foundation portfolio.

He told The Californian in March, amid talk of a possible sale, that "We're quite a ways off on anything, but we always dream. We always look at opportunities."

Lake called the acquisition a "win-win" for both organizations, foreseeing an expansion in the arts and increased opportunities for entertainment in a smaller venue.

"It provides economic impact to the city and presents flexible space for special events," she said in the news release. "And it sets the stage for creating an arts-and-theater district in downtown Bakersfield."

The Nile, opened in 1906 as the Bakersfield Opera House, measures 8,320 square feet with about 500 seats, which is about a third of the Fox's capacity.

There is a shared history between the Nile and the Fox via Charles P. Skouras, president of Fox West Coast Theaters, who oversaw a remodel first of the Nile Theater (1938) and later the Fox (1953).

Resurrection Church has owned the Nile since 2017 and allowed Bakersfield Collective Church to host Sunday services there while maintaining administrative offices nearby. (Resurrection's main campus is located north of the Panorama Bluffs along Manor Street.)

Matt Spindler, the foundation's executive director of the Fox Theater Foundation, commended Resurrection Church with the "fantastic job in keeping the Nile in turnkey shape for us."

He also profusely thanked Lake for her gift, which he referred to as a "forever game changer to our downtown."

"What these theaters offer in regards to entertainment, architecture, history and commerce is worth the investment of the time and money it takes to restore and maintain them," he said in the news release. "The mission of our Foundation fits perfectly to take this next step. Our hope is that the community will continue to show the love and support with our efforts for the Nile as they have with the Fox."

Stefani Dias can be reached at 661-395-7488. Follow her on Twitter at @realstefanidias.