EXCLUSIVE: New era for Riviera Theatre

GENESEO — A shuttered movie theatre in Downtown Geneseo is going to be brought back to life thanks to two local developers and entrepreneurs.
 
Palace Properties owners Don Livingston and Jim Sullivan, have now added the Riviera Theatre to their projects and their first act was to post the wording 'coming soon' in the marquee.
 
"The end result will be a performing arts center. This will include a theatre with stage, dancing floor, bistro tables, with dinner theatre for catered events," said Don Livingston.  "This is going to be a fully functional multi-purpose arts center."

Built in 1914, The Riviera Theatre was originally named The Rex Theatre until 1936. Members of the Aprile family were operating the Riviera at least as late as 1988.

“The whole thing is going to be a challenge, there is a lot to be done,” said Livingston.

Construction will start as early as next week and the anticipated completion date will be in 2 years.

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