Solender/Hall, Inc. has helped Uptown Players find a new home at 1327 Motor Circle, Dallas, TX 75207. Uptown Players, the only professional LGBTQ+ focused theater in the Dallas area, will use the 3,922 square foot space for offices, rehearsals, set construction and a costume shop. Located in an area of small warehouses, the space is less than 10 minutes from the Kalita Humphreys Theater, where Uptown Players will continue to perform.
Since 2010, Uptown Players has been the primary tenant of the historically significant Kalita Humphreys Theater. Jeff Rane, Uptown Players executive producer, said, “We always knew we would have to move our offices because there is a master plan being developed to restore the Kalita. In addition, the Equitable Access Plan (EAP), created by the Dallas Theater Center in coordination with the City of Dallas’ Office of Arts and Culture, has opened the Kalita to other arts groups, making it the right time to find new space.”
Eliza Solender of Solender/Hall represented Uptown Players, and Transwestern’s Paul Wittorf, Kim Brooks and Laney Delin represented the owner, Quadrant Investment Properties.
The original plan was to lease the space. However, because of Uptown Players’ timing on the move, the ownership agreed to structure the deal as a lease with option to purchase the property. Rane said, “Once we engaged Eliza, she asked the owners if they would be willing to sell the building, and she told us of the benefits of owning versus leasing. We realized that owning gives us more options, reduces operating expenses and builds equity.” He added, “This building is in a great location, the right size and perfect for our current needs.”
Solender said, “This building checked all the boxes. It’s centrally located in the Design District and near other creative businesses. Also, having the option to purchase it will give Uptown Players flexibility now and in the future. Plus, the area has its own association with management and security—unusual in the Design District.”
Craig Lynch, Uptown Players executive producer, added, “Because of our successful capital campaign—‘The Excitement is Building’—we were able to raise the down payment and funds for renovations. We thank all our donors, supporters and the community for their support.” Uptown Players also received financing from Origin Bank.
Uptown Players’ building is in a gated property closed by 7 p.m., and on weekends. Lynch said, “Because we have evening and weekend rehearsals, it has some built-in security for our actors and staff. There’s also flexibility in having our own rehearsal space where we can set the schedule and not have to work around other groups.”
About Solender/Hall:
Since 1991, Solender/Hall has been assisting nonprofit organizations buy, sell and lease commercial real estate in the North Texas area. The firm has been highly successful in finding unique properties, often repurposing banks, stores, warehouses, bowling alleys and churches into new nonprofit locations. Find out more at www.solenderhall.com or by calling 214.265.8200.
About Uptown Players:
Uptown Players is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization presenting plays and musicals that challenge audiences artistically and create greater positive public awareness and acceptance through the performing arts. The 2022-2023 season will be our 21st season and our 13th at the Kalita Humphreys Theater. Uptown Players is one of the leading regional theaters in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and is providing an opportunity for a wide diversity of gender styles to come together and explore life choices through great theatre themes such as relationships, family, prejudice and values. The response from the community and critics has been remarkable including over 25 Leon Rabin Awards from the Dallas Theatre League, and over 30 Theater Critics Forum Awards. Uptown Players has also been named the best theatre company numerous times by the Dallas Voice Readers and by the Dallas Observer and has been featured in D Magazine and on WFAA’s Daybreak and Good Morning Texas programs. More information can be found at https://www.uptownplayers.org/.