March 3, 2022

Demo plan filed for Wallingford's Guild 45th (or most of it)

Photo by Brian Miller [enlarge]

The east theater, pictured in 2017, is probably next on the list for demolition.

The Guild 45th cinemas, at 2105 and 2115 N. 45th St., closed nearly five years ago. Then followed an effort by Newmark to sell the two non-contiguous Wallingford parcels, east and west, each with a separate theater, but no buyers emerged.

About four years ago, corporate parent Landmark Theatres was sold to Cohen Media Group. However, seller 2929 Entertainment, associated with billionaire Mark Cuban, kept the real estate for the Guild 45th and Seven Gables. The latter, also shuttered, succumbed to fire in December 2020.

That same month, a 2929 LLC managed to purchase the Octopus Bar property that separated the two Guild 45th parcels, east and west, thus completing a midblock assemblage that doesn't quite span the frontage between Meridian and Bagley avenues North. That $1.4 million sale hasn't been previously reported. About the same time, Octopus Bar moved to the vacant former Goldie's/Iron Bull corner.

Now there's a plan from 2929 and architect Clark Barnes to demolish the smaller west Guild 45th building, painted green, and the vacant former Octopus Bar building. For now, the larger pink east theater building will remain. That's where the overhanging marquee was removed in January, leading some to believe it was being demolished. There's no plan, yet, for that.

As of now, 2929 Real Estate has assembled 14,204 square feet, with zoning up to 55 feet. That property isn't publicly listed for sale. Two different family groups own the two corners: the relocated Octopus Bar; and the Changes/Silver Tray building. Nor are those listed for sale.

A third demolition permit application will likely follow for the pink east Guild 45th building. With demo permits in the seller's hands, a prospective buyer could then emerge. No new building plans have been filed for the block.