About 16 South Street
We proudly present the opportunity to acquire the historic Schine’s Theater located at 16 South Street in the heart of Downtown Auburn, NY. This sale will follow an open offering process, w/ best and final offers due by 5:00 PM on September 30, 2025. All offers must include a detailed plan outlining the proposed use of the property, a comprehensive restoration approach, & an anticipated timeline. The restricted use of this building will remain focused on the performing arts & is not eligible to become housing. Additional submission guidelines are available upon request. Built in 1938 and designed by the famed architect John Eberson, the Schine’s Theater is a stunning example of Streamline Moderne, a late Art Deco style. The building boasts a ceramic brick & terra cotta façade, a dramatic marquee, & a 2,000-seat auditorium highlighted by sweeping curves & a “shooting star” motif. The theater debuted on September 15, 1938, with “Four’s a Crowd” starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. For nearly four decades, the Schine’s served as Auburn’s cultural heartbeat, hosting films and live events. Following the dissolution of the Schine chain in the mid-1960s, the building went through phases as the Auburn Music Hall (1978–1980) and Charlie’s Nightclub (1980–1983), during which interior alterations occurred. In the early 1990s, community momentum grew for its revival. A feasibility study was completed in 1993, and the building was added to the New York State Register of Historic Places in 1994 and the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. These designations make the property eligible for key preservation incentives including, but not limited to, $1,000,000 Restore New York Grant along with other grant and tax credit opportunities available through Empire State Development, Historic Preservation Tax Credits, and other art related grants. The Schine’s Theater remains a remarkable piece of Auburn’s identity and with the right investor it holds promise to become a thriving community anchor once again.
