Silver Spring nonprofit MHP has completed the restoration of the historic façade of the former Flower Theatre at 8725 Flower Ave. in Silver Spring’s Long Branch neighborhood.
The project will culminate in a relighting ceremony on Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. to unveil and illuminate the theatre’s iconic neon sign and marquee. The event is free, and the first 100 attendees will get a free limited-edition T-shirt.
Several community leaders and speakers will discuss the renovated façade features, which echo the Theatre’s original condition when it opened in 1950. The speakers will share perspectives on the historical and contemporary significance of this project and its location along the Purple Line corridor.
The project involved replacing the iconic Flower neon sign atop the theater, relighting the marquee, restoring the ticket booth, and making other associated repairs, according to MHP.
“We are excited to see these aesthetic enhancements come to fruition at Flower Theatre,” said Chris Gillis, MHP Director of Policy & Neighborhood Development. “We hope this project will bring attention to the Long Branch community’s rich cultural history and diverse business offerings, in addition to the theater building’s investment potential.”
The Long Branch community is looking for a way to repurpose the space to attract people to the area and create a gathering place for the community. MHP said that they are hopeful that renovating the façade will encourage more investment in the theater and make it easier for potential commercial tenants to operate there in the future.
The Flower Theatre restoration project began in 2021 after receiving a $75,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD). The project, which cost around $400,000, was made possible with the financial support of DHCD, Montgomery County Department of Housing & Community Affairs, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, Cafritz Foundation, and MHP.
Donohoe, based in Bethesda, was the general contractor for the project. Amee Bearne, AICP, a former MHP employee residing in Long Branch, served as the project manager.
Photos: Ilana Guttin / MHP
