Once a beacon of cultural pride and entertainment in New Orleans’ Treme neighborhood, the Carver Theater is now up for auction—opening a new chapter in its storied legacy. Scheduled for online bidding from July 17 to 23, the landmark property and 15 adjoining parcels on Orleans Avenue and St. Ann Street will hit the auction block with a starting bid of $2 million.
Built in 1950 and named after Black scientist and educator George Washington Carver, the Carver Theater quickly became a vital gathering space for African American moviegoers during the era of segregation. Unlike the downtown cinemas that enforced harsh racial boundaries, the Carver was regarded as a first-class venue. Theater owner Rene Brunet once called it “the best ‘colored’ theater in New Orleans and perhaps the entire South.”
The 1,050-seat cinema closed in 1980 and was later repurposed into the Carver Medical Clinic. But after sustaining five feet of floodwater during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the building stood dormant until local optometrist Dr. Eugene Oppman spearheaded an $8 million renovation. Funded in part by federal and state tax credits, the restoration transformed the space into an 800-capacity multipurpose venue, while reviving its iconic red signage. The effort earned a Louisiana Landmark Society Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation in 2015.
Over the past decade, the Carver has hosted a vibrant mix of events—from concerts and theatrical productions to political addresses and funerals. Notably, former Mayor Mitch Landrieu delivered his 2015 State of the City address there, and Snoop Dogg performed during Jazz Fest the following year. Despite its cultural revival, the Carver’s financial footing remained shaky. A commercial development plan failed to materialize, leading Oppman to list the theater and adjacent properties for $5.5 million in 2016. Though he later paused the sale in favor of a new music series, debt continued to accumulate.
By 2020, foreclosure litigation was initiated by Hollywood producer Bob Yari, who had acquired the loans from a Malaysian tycoon after the issuing bank failed. In 2023, a judge awarded Yari a $2.3 million judgment, though enforcement was paused as Oppman appealed. That appeal is set for oral argument this September.
Now, SVN Gilmore Auction & Realty is overseeing the auction. According to managing director David Gilmore, the litigation will not affect the property’s title. The Carver Theater, designated within an Enterprise Zone and Opportunity Zone, also qualifies for state and federal historic tax credits, making it especially attractive to investors seeking both legacy and opportunity.
While the reserve price exceeds the $2 million opening bid, Gilmore confirmed that offers for the theater alone will be considered ahead of the auction. “We don’t anticipate that, but we can negotiate,” he said. Additional surrounding lots could serve well as parking or future development, adding further appeal.
Even with ownership uncertain, the Carver continues to host events, with bookings already secured through Mardi Gras 2026. Gilmore believes interest will continue to grow as marketing picks up in the coming weeks. “We’ve shown it several times and gotten several prospects,” he noted.
The Carver’s past is filled with stories of resilience and community spirit—from Chef Leah Chase’s recollection of using Pepsi caps to help kids earn free Saturday movie tickets, to its role as a cultural anchor in the heart of Treme. As it prepares for its next chapter, the Carver Theater remains a symbol of both historic struggle and enduring hope—ready to be reimagined by whoever takes the baton next.
