Kristen Stewart Saves Historic Highland Theatre from Closure With Surprise Purchase

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Kristen Stewart is helping to keep the historic Highland Theatre in Los Angeles open. The 100-year-old movie palace in Highland Park was facing permanent closure, but Stewart’s involvement is offering it a lifeline.

Designed in 1925 by renowned architect Lewis Arthur Smith – also known for the Vista Theater and the Rialto – this theater was once a popular spot for vaudeville and movies. After falling into disrepair, it closed in 2024. Stewart’s recent purchase signals a major restoration project, aiming to revive an important part of Los Angeles’s cultural heritage.

Stewart believes the Highland Theatre can be much more than just a place to watch movies. She hopes it will become a vibrant center where people in the community can connect, collaborate, and share ideas. She explains that the project involves not only renovating the theatre but also reimagining how things are done, with the goal of creating a welcoming space for everyone, not just film buffs. She wants it to feel like a community effort, a place where everyone feels included.

She envisions the theater as a refreshing alternative to mainstream, corporate cinema. It would be a place to showcase bold, independent films and host cultural events focused on creativity, teamwork, and trying new things.

The theater still has beautiful original details, like its decorated balcony and stage, but it needs a lot of work to be restored. Stewart is dedicated to keeping the theater’s historic character while also making it suitable for modern audiences and uses.

She explained that the building has many lovely features worth saving. Her goal is to revitalize the theater, honoring its past while also offering fresh experiences for the local community and the Los Angeles film industry. She believes in combining preservation with new and creative ideas to make it a thriving cultural hub.

Stewart grew up in Los Angeles and feels a strong connection to the city and its communities. She settled in the Eastside neighborhood in her twenties and has always been captivated by its vibrant and diverse atmosphere.

She sees Los Angeles as a collection of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own unique character, and values the city’s creative energy and welcoming atmosphere. She enthusiastically expresses her love for LA, explaining that she finds its artistic and cultural scene more appealing than the fast-paced environment of the East Coast.

Beyond her work at the Highland Theatre, Stewart dedicates time to important social issues. She actively supports the Downtown Women’s Center, which provides crucial resources like housing and meals to women experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. Stewart believes the city’s response to homelessness is insufficient, stating, “LA is drowning in inadequacy in our response to homelessness.” She feels the city needs a more compassionate and effective approach to helping people get off the streets. Her work with the DWC demonstrates her commitment to using her influence to create positive social change.

Stewart envisions the Highland Theatre playing a key role in transforming both the film industry and Los Angeles’ cultural scene. She believes, “We need to move beyond superficial diversity and truly innovate. We can’t keep repeating the same stories, and we must support those who are most underserved.”

By buying and renovating the Highland Theatre, Stewart aims to build a vibrant hub where the past meets artistic expression and local connection. She envisions a fresh approach to both movies and community involvement in Los Angeles.

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2026-02-05 10:45