Former Eclipse Theaters to become THIRD Street arts and media hub

The City of Las Vegas has approved $4.2 million to turn the former Eclipse Theaters downtown into THIRD Street, a performing arts and media incubator. The project aims to boost local talent, workforce training, and neighborhood revitalization just off the Fremont Street corridor.

What is THIRD Street and why is Las Vegas investing $4.2 million in it?

A familiar downtown address is getting a new life. The building that once housed Eclipse Theaters, just a few blocks from the Fremont Street Experience, is set to become THIRD Street: a performing arts and media incubator backed by a $4.2 million investment from the City of Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency. Instead of moviegoers grabbing a seat for the latest blockbuster, the reimagined space will welcome local performers, filmmakers, content creators, and students looking for a place to learn and create.

City officials describe THIRD Street as a cross between a neighborhood theater, a training center, and a creative office campus. The vision is to retrofit the old cinema into flexible venues where live shows, screenings, rehearsals, classes, and digital productions can all happen under one roof. Supporters say the project matters because it tackles several local goals at once: diversifying the economy beyond gaming, giving homegrown talent professional-level tools, and bringing more daily activity to a stretch of downtown that has seen fits and starts of development over the years.

• Former Eclipse Theaters will be renovated, not demolished
• City Redevelopment Agency is providing $4.2 million in support
• Project focus is on performance, media, and workforce training
• Location is a short walk from major downtown attractions

How will the former Eclipse Theaters building be transformed for arts and media?

The Eclipse building already comes with a built-in advantage for a creative hub: it was designed for audiences. Stadium-style seating, acoustic treatments, and multiple auditoriums give planners a head start in converting the property into performance and production-ready rooms. Instead of rows of movie seats, some of those spaces could turn into black box theaters, flexible sound stages, podcast studios, or classrooms where a lighting grid is part of the lesson plan. The lobby and common areas, once lined with concession stands and movie posters, can be repurposed into gallery walls, co-working tables, and casual gathering spots for productions between takes.

Because this is a redevelopment project and not a ground-up build, much of the work will focus on reconfiguring what is already there. That means upgrading sound and projection systems for live use, carving out editing bays and control rooms, and adding the electrical capacity and data infrastructure needed for modern streaming and content creation. Accessibility improvements, back-of-house loading for sets and equipment, and energy efficiency updates are also likely to be part of the construction plan. The goal is not simply to refresh an old property, but to outfit it for the kind of cross-platform, live-plus-digital work that defines the entertainment business today.

• Cinema auditoriums can convert into live performance rooms
• Lobby areas may host gallery shows and networking events
• Back-of-house spaces are suitable for studios and edit bays
• Tech upgrades will support streaming and digital workflows

How could THIRD Street support local performers, students, and small creative businesses?

For many Las Vegas artists, the biggest hurdle is not talent, it is access. Renting a soundstage on or near the Strip, booking a theater, or finding a quiet, properly wired studio can be out of reach for small companies and solo creators. THIRD Street aims to close that gap by offering a purpose-built environment where a range of users can share spaces, gear, and know-how. Picture a local theater troupe rehearsing in one room while a film crew captures a short in another, and a youth media class learns camera basics down the hall. That mix is part of what proponents consider the true value of an incubator model.

Education and workforce development are central to the concept. Organizers expect that THIRD Street will host workshops on everything from stage management and set construction to video editing and audio engineering. These skills translate directly into jobs at casinos, production houses, and touring shows that already call the valley home. Students and mid-career workers can test out new paths without leaving Las Vegas, which is important in a city where many entertainment professionals have historically felt pressure to relocate to Los Angeles or New York to advance their careers. If the incubator delivers on its mission, more of that talent can build long-term lives and livelihoods right here.

What does this downtown arts incubator mean for the neighborhood and local economy?

When a single building changes use, it can alter the rhythm of a whole block. The old Eclipse Theaters had pulses of activity tied to movie showtimes. An incubator like THIRD Street, by contrast, can keep foot traffic moving through the day and into the evening. Students arrive for morning classes, creative teams cycle through rehearsals and shoots in the afternoon, and the public comes out at night for performances, screenings, and talks. That constant flow is the kind of street-level energy downtown advocates have been working toward in recent years with new dining, residential, and office projects.

Economically, the city views THIRD Street as a catalyst, not just a single destination. A functioning arts and media hub tends to draw satellite businesses: costume and prop shops, post-production specialists, photographers, and caterers all benefit when productions cluster in one area. Cafes and restaurants within walking distance can pick up new regulars from students and creative teams on tight schedules. If the incubator successfully nurtures local companies that eventually grow into larger tenants, some of those future offices or studios may choose to stay downtown, reinforcing the idea of the city center as a serious place to do creative business, not only to visit for nightlife.

How does THIRD Street fit into Las Vegas’ broader arts and entertainment evolution?

Las Vegas is known worldwide for spectacular tours, residencies, and large-format experiences like the Sphere and major Strip theaters. Behind the scenes, though, there has long been a need for mid-sized spaces where new ideas can be tested and local talent can grow. Projects like THIRD Street help fill in that missing layer, connecting big-league entertainment with the grassroots scene that often supplies future stars and crew members. When a legendary act like Rush announces a cutting-edge residency at the Sphere for 2027, it highlights the global demand for the kind of skills that can be taught and practiced inside an incubator just a few miles away.

This move also signals how Las Vegas continues to broaden its identity beyond casinos. Investments in performing arts centers, public concerts such as the city’s free Veterans Appreciation events, and community wellness gatherings like the “Hope Means Nevada” 5K show that culture and connection are becoming part of the regular civic calendar. THIRD Street adds a permanent, bricks-and-mortar piece to that picture. As the doors eventually open and programming ramps up, residents can expect more opportunities to not only watch world-class entertainment on the Strip, but also to create and collaborate in their own backyard. And as always, we will be following the buildout and first-season lineup closely right here at KTUD 25, so you can watch, visit, and stay connected to what is happening downtown.

1. Watch for public announcements about THIRD Street’s opening date and sign up early for tours or open houses to see what kinds of spaces and programs might fit your needs.
2. If you are a performer or creator, start outlining a project you could workshop at the incubator, such as a short run of a play, a film shoot, or a live recording.
3. Educators and parents can keep an eye out for youth classes or camps at THIRD Street that focus on backstage skills, media literacy, or on-camera confidence-building.
4. Small creative businesses should prepare a simple portfolio and business summary so they are ready to apply for residency, studio time, or partnership opportunities when applications open.
5. Job seekers interested in entertainment production can make a list of technical skills they want to learn, then match that list against any training series THIRD Street begins to offer.
6. Nearby residents and downtown workers can plan to support the hub by attending shows, screenings, and exhibitions, which helps keep ticket prices accessible and programs active.
7. Community groups and nonprofits can explore hosting meetings, fundraisers, or awareness events at the venue once rental policies are announced, bringing their audiences into the creative ecosystem.
8. If you own a nearby cafe, shop, or service-based business, consider tailoring hours or offers to coincide with likely class and show schedules to welcome students and visiting audiences.

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