![\"Fairfax](\"http:\/\/www.latimes.com\/media\/photo\/2010-03\/52964662.jpg\")
<\/img><\/p>\n<\/img><\/p>\n
Hoping to halt the conversion of the Fairfax Theater into apartments,
\nneighbors joined preservationists and community activists Saturday to
\ncollect petition signatures and to celebrate the cinema’s 80th birthday.<\/p>\n
"We
\nview the Fairfax not only as a historic treasure, but as a social and
\ncultural treasure, given the role it has played in the Fairfax District
\nfor the past 80 years," said Hillsman Wright, co-founder of the Los
\nAngeles Historical Theatre Foundation.
<\/br>
<\/br>"It’s much more than a physical structure," he said. "It’s in many ways part of the heart and soul of that neighborhood."
<\/br>
<\/br><\/p>\n
Property owner Alex Gorby announced last week that the Fairfax, which was being operated by Regency Theatres, would remain closed indefinitely<\/a> after suffering major damage during rainstorms this year. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/br><\/p>\n "The
\nlandlord did not want to make the necessary repairs, so we had to
\nterminate the lease," said Andrew Golin, vice president of Regency
\nTheatres. "We are saddened by the closure."<\/p>\n