Turning a Vacant Historic Theater Into a Thriving Community Asset with Brad Andrus

What does it really take to bring a crumbling historic building back to life—and turn it into a thriving, income-producing community space?

In this episode, Brian Hamrick sits down with Brad Andrus, commercial real estate investor, broker, and developer behind the ambitious restoration of the Fine Arts Theater in Denton, Texas.

Brad shares the full story: from its beginnings as an undertaker's shop in the early 1900s, to its heyday as a bustling single-screen theater, to decades of vacancy after fire damage—and now, its rebirth as a live performance, film, and event venue.

You'll learn:

• The hidden challenges of historic renovations—from roof failures to unexpected structural issues.

• How federal and state historic tax credits can make or break the capital stack.

• Why city and community partnerships are essential in adaptive reuse projects.

• How to balance profitability with legacy-minded investing.

• The role of AI tools in Brad's real estate business and his new podcast Weeks Ahead AI.

Whether you're passionate about historic preservation, curious about adaptive reuse, or an investor exploring creative real estate strategies, this conversation reveals the opportunities—and the pitfalls—of breathing new life into old buildings.

📌 Resources & Links

• Connect with Brad on LinkedIn: 

  www.linkedin.com/in/brad-andrus

• Learn about his podcast: Weeks Ahead AI (available on all platforms)

Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com