Talks hint at new life for Villa

The Villa Theatre has found new life.

Harmons Grocery Stores confirmed Wednesday it is negotiating the sale of the historic movie house at 3092 S. Highland Drive. The grocery chain declined to provide any details of the transaction, but the buyer's representatives say there are big plans in the works.

Tim Simonsen, the real estate agent representing the Villa's buyers, said the sale is expected to close by the end of the month. Financial details were not disclosed.

Another representative of the prospective buyers, who requested anonymity pending the close of the sale, said the buyers have no intention of razing the Villa. Rather, assuming the deal closes as planned, the source said the Villa likely will play a central role in a diverse entertainment complex that may include restaurant space, retail stores, a night club and/or dinner theater.

Though the Villa may undergo some interior modifications, the theater's new owners will make every effort to make sure that "to the greatest degree possible, the existing structure will remain intact," the source said. The new owners appreciate the building's historical significance, she said.

"It's everyone's desire and intention to preserve as much as humanly possible the Villa Theatre, and to see it back providing entertainment to as broad a community as possible," the source said.

Harmons representatives declined to confirm or elaborate on the Villa property's potential development, citing confidentiality agreements.

"If news reports have gone out, they have not been instigated by Harmons, because of Harmons' confidentiality agreement," said Harmons spokeswoman Rhonda Greenwood. "We cannot comment on the sale of the property until it has been sold. We can only confirm that negotiations are under process."

Salt Lake County officials have not seen any proposals or heard any plans for the property, although anything that would be "a viable business and create jobs would be great," Mayor Nancy Workman said. She also applauded efforts to preserve the Villa Theatre.

"It has some historical value and nostalgia, and if somebody could keep its flavor, that's super," she said.

Harmons announced in February that it had purchased the 3.3-acre Villa Theatre property as an "investment property." The theater's tenant, Carmike Cinemas, declined an offer to lease the building at that time, pulled up stakes and left. The building has been vacant for the past six months.

The Villa opened for business on Dec. 23, 1949, the pride of the Joseph L. Lawrence Theatres. It had a capacity of more than 1,000. In 1955, the theater was purchased by Fox Intermountain, which installed an early form of stadium seating and a 100-foot screen.

More than a half-dozen owners have tried their hand at the Villa's reins during its 52-year run as a movie house. The last movie to play under its marquee was "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers."

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Contributing: Josh Loftin

E-mail: jnii@desnews.com