El Rey Theater

1. April 17, 1928

   Theater operator Samuel H. Levin bought the five vacant lots that became the El Rey site from Fernando Nelson & Sons, developer of Mt. Davidson Manor, and held them as land for future development.

   SF Planning, landmark designation
2. 1930

   Assessor’s “built” date. Built by H. L. Peterson.

3. 1931

   The El Rey Theater, designed by Miller and Pflueger.

   Architecture, Planning & Preservation Professionals: A Collection of Biographies, adopted 2021
4. 1931

   The theater's tower of nearly 150 feet was topped by a revolving airplane beacon and directional light pointing aircraft to Mills Field, now San Francisco International Airport.

   SF Planning, landmark designation
5. 1931

   El Rey Supermarket opened in the theater's west retail wing, where it traded until 1977; the building's eight original storefronts also held El Rey Pharmacy, a dress shop and El Rey Beauty Shop.

   SF Planning, landmark designation
6. November 14, 1931

   The El Rey Theater opened with 1,800 seats and a screening of Maurice Chevalier in The Smiling Lieutenant; it cost $500,000 to build and fit out, double the first estimate, and was the first major movie theater west of Twin Peaks.

   SF Planning, landmark designation
7. December 29, 1938

   Samuel Levin's San Francisco Theatres, Inc. sold the El Rey Theater to El Rey Enterprises, a real estate holding company that hired managers to run it.

   SF Planning, landmark designation
8. June 1956

   Fire damaged the rear of the coffee shop in the theater building's storefront at 1962 Ocean Avenue; a repair permit was sought that month.

   SF Planning, landmark designation
9. 1958

   The El Rey was fitted with an improved sound system and CinemaScope projection.

   SF Planning, landmark designation
10. 1960

    The original flat storefront canopy was replaced with the folded-plate canopy still in place, and the upper windows of the retail wings behind their decorative grilles were removed.

    SF Planning, landmark designation
11. 1969

    The first store of The Gap opened in the El Rey building's east storefront, selling Levi's jeans, records and tapes; the company closed it in 1974.

    SF Planning, landmark designation
12. March 28, 1977

    COYOTE, the sex workers' rights organisation founded by Margo St. James, held its second International Hookers' Film Festival at the El Rey, four days of more than 40 films; the theater closed after it.

    SF Planning, landmark designation
13. September 14, 1977

    El Rey Enterprises sold the closed theater to Voice of Pentecost, an evangelical church that converted it into its sanctuary, school and offices.

    SF Planning, landmark designation
14. August 1978

    The former El Rey Supermarket space in the west retail wing was converted into a Sunday school, removing the wing's original storefronts.

    SF Planning, landmark designation
15. January 1979

    The storefronts along Ocean Avenue were refaced with imitation fieldstone bulkheads and new steel windows.

    SF Planning, landmark designation
16. Jun 1988

    Permit 8807232 $$$ $2,500

    Provide enclosure, construct minor walls, windows & doors.

17. January 27, 1990

    Robert Durden photographed the property, showing Voice of the Pentecost Church and El Rey Theater.

    Robert Durden Color Slide Collection (SFP 42), San Francisco Public Library
18. Mar 1994

    Permit 9403090 $$$ $20,000

    To structurally reinforce parapet.

19. Jun 2006

    Issued Permit 200606234866 $$$ $12,300

    Reroofing.

20. November 25, 2015

    After the church defaulted on its mortgage, the former theater was sold at public auction for $1,060,000.

    SF Planning, landmark designation
21. Feb 2016

    Permit 201602240423 $$$ $7,800

    Reroofing.

22. Feb 2016

    Permit 201602240426 $$$ $1,500

    To comply with nov201600502 selected interior demolition of wall finishes. no relocation of walls or other framing members under this permit. no change to egress occupancy or increase to area.

23. July 18, 2017

    Designated San Francisco Landmark No. 274, El Rey Theater.

    SF Planning, landmark designation
24. Jan 2023

    Permit 202301301007 $$$ $8,000

    Comply with nov 202301541. repair stucco at south side of tower (approx 10 sq ft).

25. Apr 2024

    Withdrawn Permit 202404230601 $$$ $65,000

    Remodel 4 bathrooms in kind. 202 sq ft all on ground level.

26. Mar 2025

    Permit 202503142261 $$$ $70,000

    Existing metal fire escape exterior exit stairs and landings to be replaced with new in-kind ones. to abate comp. #201600492.

27. Apr 2025

    Withdrawn Permit 202504023571 $$$ $35,000

    East wing: upgrade (2) bathrooms on the 1st floor.

28. Dec 2025

    Issued Permit 202512121638 $$$ $48,000

    Renovate existing restrooms on level 1 and 2. install platform in auditorium.

29. Mar 2026

    Issued Permit 202603127471 $$$ $30,000

    Expand bathrooms on main level. 2 new drinking fountains.

30. Apr 2026

    Issued Permit 202604239927 $$$ $30,000

    Demolition of interior improvement of east & west annexes. removal of non-structural interior walls, door, finishes.

31. Jul 2026

    Issued Permit 202607074647 $$$ $20,000

    Demolition & brace hallow claytiles and walls. expand bathroom doors.

32. Aug 2026

    Issued Permit 202608046022 $$$ $8,000

    Revision to permit 2026-0707-4647 to include infill existing duct opening at 1st & 2nd floors and construct new non bearing partitions. 8/7/2026.

33. Sep 2026

    Filed Permit 202609017532 $$$ $280,000

    Interior buildout of existing east and west building. all demolition work completed under permit application 202601239927.

3 expired or cancelled permits are omitted. The assessor's roll gives 1930; this address is recorded as built 1931.