With the sun serving as the spotlight, a groundbreaking ceremony Monday afternoon celebrated the start of construction to revive Guadalupe’s historic Royal Theater, a long-awaited project expected to transform the downtown area. 

Guadalupe elected officials, city employees and construction workers were among the crowd of approximately 50 people gathered near the empty building at 848 Guadalupe St. They were joined by longtime Guadalupe residents with fond memories of the theater plus Santa Maria City Council members showing support.

“This means a lot to Guadalupe,” Mayor Ariston Julian said, recalling that the theater provided a chance to meet up with friends to watch Japanese, Filipino and American movies.

Restoration of the old theater building has been a longtime dream for city leaders and residents but had led to frustration as past efforts failed for various reasons for decades.

“It’s happening,” Julian said.

The project represents “both the preservation of our history and the promise of the future,” Interim City Administrator David Trujillo said. 

“For nearly a century, the story the Royal Theater has been woven into the story of Guadalupe,” Trujillo said. “It was a place where families, friends and neighbors all gathered, a cornerstone of entertainment, culture and community life.

“Even as the building aged and fell silent, it remains a symbol of what the city values — connection, creativity and community spirit. Today marks the moment that changes. We move from vision to action, from hoping to building. This groundbreaking is a start of a new chapter not only for the theater but for our entire downtown.”

In 2022, officials gathered at the site to announce state and federal funding for what state Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón on Monday called a critical economic development project.

“This is more than a theater for performances alone. It is a place for our communities to gather, and I’m so proud that I’ve had a little role in making this happen,” said Limón, whose 21st Senate District includes Guadalupe. 

Last month, the city awarded the $9.8 million contact to PreCon Industries, with the work set to be done in 2027.

While the city received state and federal grants to fund the project, Guadalupe remains about $3 million shy of funding to complete the interior. Donations to the capital campaign can be made by clicking here.

Fifth District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino presented $10,000 from Santa Barbara County for the project, adding that Guadalupe is undergoing a renaissance.

PreCon Industries President/CEO John Amburgey noted the personal history represented by the old building for Guadalupe residents, many of whom credit the theater as the site of a first date or first job. 

“I think this project is special,” he said. “We’re just very honored and very excited to bring this building’s history back to life.”

Part of the project for six years, architect Andrew Goodwin said talks from the beginning focused on preserving the vital history. 

“This is the only theater that was owned by Japanese-Americans, and the theater itself was taken away during the internment camp that they had to go to,” Goodwin said about World War II actions by the U.S. government to place Japanese-Americans in camps.

“This is really important to the history of California,” Goodwin said, adding that the focus became preserving the structure while adding to it.

Forced to scrap a three-story addition because of cost, the project now involves restoring the structure and adding a one-story building to create a performing arts center.

Melanie Backer, a member of the Guadalupe Business Association‘s board of directors, said the theater project will boost existing businesses and attract new ones while providing learning opportunities and serving as a community gathering place. 

“The city of Guadalupe deserves a creative space for all to enjoy, whether it be your children learning ballet folklórico in an afternoon dance program or the entire family enjoying a music concert, a play or a film,” Backer said. “The Royal Theater will be a hub for all to enjoy.”