City, DMC exploring options for Chateau's future

Officials from the City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center are heading back to the drawing board to determine the next steps for the historic Chateau Theatre.

On Friday, the city announced that it has worked with the current occupant, Twin Cities-based Exhibits Development Group (EDG), on an agreement to terminate the group’s contract in the coming month.

The city said the decision was made “due to a number of factors, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.” (There has also been construction around its entrance since 2020 as a result of the Heart of the City project.)

EDG had operated out of the Chateau space since October 2019, though access to the building has been limited much of the past year.

“We are appreciative of EDG’s partnership and willingness to try a new concept in the historic Chateau Theatre,” said Deputy City Administrator Aaron Parrish. “There is much to learn from and we will use this new knowledge as we continue forward with future activation strategies.”

The city did not specify what the next steps are for the Chateau, only that it remains “committed to preserving the historic space and will continue to work with DMC, Mayo Clinic, Rochester Downtown Alliance, Civic Music and other partners to activate the space for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors.”

The announcement added that there will “continue to be an immediate, short term and long term activation strategies for the space.” 

The city, which put $5.5 million toward the purchase of the building in 2016, invested an additional $1.1 million into the structure to prepare it for a short-term use. EDG had been expected to stay in the building 3-5 years.

Around the time the city bought the building, there was a proposal on the table to spend north of $20 million to fully renovate the theater space. That plan was put on hold, with no clear timetable on future discussion.

Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.

Cover: File photo from 2019 showing the interior of the Chateau Theatre