Former Showtime Cinema building in Franklin purchased by Islamic society for $3.2 million

The Islamic Society of Milwaukee has purchased the former Showtime Cinema building in Franklin with varying ideas for the future use of the space.

Online real estate records indicate the 13-acre property at 8910 S. 102nd St. was sold by B&G Realty (formerly Marcus Franklin, LLC) for $3.2 million to the Islamic Foundation of Greater Milwaukee ― the legal name for the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, according to Othman Atta, executive director for ISM.

Marcus Corp. announced last year that the theater, built in 2003, would close in September 2023 .

Atta said ISM has been looking for additional space for different programs for the last seven or eight years, initially focused on the south side of Milwaukee.

“After many years not really being able to find the space that we needed or the kind of property that we needed, we decided to go out into Franklin,” he said, adding the Islamic community has a large presence in the area already. “Wherever we’ve gone in terms of the buildings we’ve constructed or the areas, we feel that we’re kind of a stabilizing presence in the area.”

Long term the property has “a lot of potential,” Atta said. While a “religious facility” is under consideration for this space, he said the property could be utilized for senior housing or possibly to expand schooling space.

“This property gives our community an opportunity to grow both commercially and residentially and to kind of expand out,” he said.

Renovations are assured, Atta said, though some of the theaters could be repurposed as auditoriums. He said ISM is in discussions with architects and structural engineers to possibly add another floor since there are such high ceilings in the facility.

Another option under consideration is to create an athletic facility, possibly including a regulation-size gym with locker rooms and a weight room.

Whatever the direction, Atta made it clear this is an expansion and it will not replace any existing ISM facilities.

“Our community continues to grow,” he said. “Actually, this Ramadan has demonstrated to us that we really need to expand even more … we were at maximum capacity a number of days and nights.”

Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com . Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner , and follow him on X @Redheadliner .

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former Showtime Cinema building in Franklin purchased by Islamic society for $3.2 million