New Bedford Orpheum Theatre Building up for Sale

The building housing New Bedford's long-closed Orpheum Theatre has hit the real estate market again.

To many of the people who pass it every day, the property might e considered an eyesore requiring serious investment — a buyer with money to spend and a good imagination about what this unique piece of real estate not far from downtown could be used for.

The building has been put up for sale over the years with no real bites, but this time "the market is low on retail inventory," according to Anna Faria, an agent with RE/MAX Vantage, which has offices in Dartmouth and Fairhaven.

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The listing for the property went on Facebook the morning of March 27:

#NEW Unique opportunity for investment in retail/warehouse space 16,385 sq.ft. on 1st floor. The 2nd floor is a theater built in 1912, previously an opera house. Open your imagination and creativity.

The plus side of using the building for commercial purposes include that it's easy to get to, right off of New Bedford's well-traveled, north-to-south Route 18.

The theatre portion might not be resurrected to its former glory, but if that happened, it would be close to restaurants such as Alianca, Cisco and Inner Bay for some pre- or post-show eats and cocktails.

The listing price for the 1005 South Water St. building is $599,900. More information is available by calling Faria at 508-971-2949

What do you think would be the perfect next chapter for the Orpheum building? Restaurant? Revamp the theatre itself? Knock it down for more parking?Apartments or condos?

While you're thinking, check out these eerie photos from inside the Orpheum, a theatre frozen in time, shut off from the rest of the world.

Look Inside New Bedford's Abandoned Orpheum Theatre

New Bedford's Orpheum Theatre has been vacant for decades, but artifacts remain in place as an ode to its rich history. Let's go inside.

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.