Construction has begun on the rehabilitation of the historic Varsity Cinema, with completion of the $5 million project expected by fall when the theater is scheduled to reopen.

The Varsity, at 1207 25th St. in Des Moines, is described as the area’s oldest single-screen, independently owned movie house.

It was shuttered in December 2018. The Des Moines Film Society bought the property in fall 2020, and in early 2021 a campaign was launched to raise $3 million to pay for renovations of the century-plus-old building.

Last fall, engineers and subcontractors examined the building and designs were finalized based on the examination, Ben Godar, Des Moines Film Society director, wrote in an email. Abatement and demolition work that began in January is nearly complete.

“Now we’re transitioning into the construction phase,” Godar wrote. The theater is expected to reopen in mid- to late fall.

The renovated theater will include a new 35-seat second-level auditorium, an expanded lobby, a remodeled main auditorium and the installation of an elevator.

The theater’s programs will primarily include new-release films, mostly art house and international titles, according to a news release. Also planned are series programs, classic films, weekend family films and midnight movies.

Des Moines Film also plans to use the theater as a community space and to partner with local groups and nonprofits for screening events, something the organization has done for several years. Educational opportunities for students and support and screening facilities for local filmmakers are also planned.

Des Moines Film has raised just over $2 million toward its $3 million fundraising goal. Nearly 1,000 individuals have donated to the project, which has also received major grants from the city of Des Moines, Polk County and the state of Iowa. The remainder of the financing will come from a loan through Fortress Bank, which has an office in West Des Moines.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support so far,” Godar said in a prepared statement. “We still have important fundraising to do in the next six months to ensure we can deliver everything we’ve promised when we reopen the doors.”

Donors can support the project in a variety of ways, including placing a plaque with a name on a seat in the auditorium, Godar said.

More information about the renovation project and how to donate can be found here.

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