Possible Fox Bay Theater redevelopment; village board talks 'The Argo' transformation

WHITEFISH BAY, Wis. - For the first time, Whitefish Bay village leaders are hearing from the developers who want to turn the long-shuttered Fox Bay Theater into a new entertainment venue.

What we know:

On Tuesday night, Jan. 21, the village board held a special meeting to hear from the group that wants to build what they're calling "The Argo." It’s an entertainment space that would include a 500-seat theater, a bar and a restaurant.

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The group proposing the plan said the venue will have a state-of-the-art music system to help draw in artists.

Rendering via Argo

Village documents say the renovations would cost about $7.5 million. That total also includes solutions to potential parking and noise concerns.

New Land Enterprises owns the Fox Bay Theater. Together with developers, the real estate company is asking the village to approve $1 million in village financing to support this development.

What they're saying:

"The idea is there is a market there. The idea is grabbing up those bands that possibly won't play the Milwaukee area or whatever it is, because they don't feel like the room they're going to play is going to be as good as what they want," said Adam Powers, Argo co-owner. "Or, hey, I'm going to play your room and I want to play a smaller show instead of a bigger place. That's what we're trying to grab."

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Possible redevelopment of Fox Bay Theater; village board to hear plan

A historic theater in Whitefish Bay could get a multi-million dollar makeover. The Village Board will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 21 to discuss plans to revive the Fox Bay Theater.

The Fox Bay Theater went dark back in 2020.

What's next:

Parking impacts are still being studied.

If approved, The Argo could open as soon as this fall.