Theatre Off Jackson Secured Twenty-Year Lease

The venue transitioned from a long-term month-to-month rental to a multi-decade agreement for its Seattle site.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Dance

Screen-print poster illustration of a classic brick theatre facade with an arched doorway, evoking cultural heritage and urban stability. — Theatre Off Jackson finalized a twenty-year lease for its Seattle Chinatown International District location, providing the venue with stability for future capital improvements. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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After renting its Chinatown International District space for 16 years on a month-to-month basis, Theatre Off Jackson signed a twenty-year lease on July 20, 2026. This long-term security allows the organization to pursue capital improvements and major grants.

Why it matters

The organization required long-term lease security to qualify for major capital grants that were previously inaccessible. The shift resolves a long-standing barrier to infrastructure investment that made planning difficult for the venue.

The 15,000-square-foot venue hosts approximately 150 live events annually. The organization has committed $500,000 toward building renovations and secured $80,000 in municipal grants, including a $50,000 award from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.

The players

Theatre Off Jackson

This arts organization operates a 15,000-square-foot venue located in the Chinatown International District of Seattle.

Susan Lieu

She serves as the permanent Executive Director of Theatre Off Jackson, having previously held the interim director role.

The details

Negotiations for the new lease lasted nine months, beginning in July 2025, and included pro bono legal support from Fremont Law Group and Buchalter Law Firm. SHED Architecture & Design contributed pro bono work to create conceptual building renderings for the facility.

July 2025 marked the start of lease negotiations and the interim leadership transition.
July 20, 2026, served as the date for the lease-signing celebration.
August 17, 2026, was the date Susan Lieu became the permanent Executive Director.
October 3, 2026, is the scheduled date for an upcoming fundraising event.
2027 is the planned year for the launch of the organization's capital campaign.

Industry Dynamics

This move reflects a broader trend among small-to-mid-sized arts organizations that must secure long-term site control to compete for institutional funding. By shifting from month-to-month instability to a twenty-year commitment, the venue positions itself to scale its operations against similar regional performance spaces.

Local patrons can expect a more stable schedule of productions throughout the autumn of 2026 as the venue settles into its new long-term agreement. The upcoming facility renovations aim to improve the attendee experience at the 15,000-square-foot space in the Chinatown International District.

The takeaway

Securing a long-term lease is a critical strategic milestone for non-profit cultural venues that seek to access large-scale capital grants. Organizations in similar positions should leverage professional legal support to navigate lengthy negotiation processes for facility security.