Fox Associates, L.L.C. and Foxland, Inc. are pleased to announce that they have reached a mutually satisfactory settlement in resolution of their dispute over the Fox Theatre. Fox Associates has operated the Theatre for 40 years after undertaking its restoration in the 1980s.
Since April 2021, the parties have been involved in a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis over which party will have the right to own and operate the Theatre once the current lease expires in 2025.
Under the parties’ settlement agreement, Fox Associates will purchase Foxland’s interest in the land underlying the Theatre, thereby consolidating ownership in one party. The parties worked together to achieve this resolution and share the belief that this is the right result for the St. Louis community, as it will ensure uninterrupted Theatre operations.
“On behalf of myself and partners Lisa Baudendistel Suntrup and Julie Baudendistel Noonan, we are thrilled that the Fabulous Fox Theatre will continue to bring world class entertainment to St. Louis for generations to come,” said Mary Strauss, Fox Associates partner. “It has been a labor of love for our Strauss and Baudendistel families to be the custodians of this St. Louis treasure and national landmark for the past four decades and we look forward to a fabulous future.”
Charles Modlin of Foxland, Inc. stated, “While our family had been looking forward to operating the Theatre for many years, we are happy with the result and believe the Theatre remains in good hands with Fox Associates, who we are confident will continue its important legacy of successfully operating one of the most magnificent historic Theatres in the world.”
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.