West Seattle’s local movie theater could soon receive some of the upgrades it sorely needs.

Jeff Brein is the managing partner of Far Away Productions, which operates the Admiral Theater and eight others. Brein said that he has an interest in renovating the theater and investing funds to improve its interior, including replacing worn carpeting, repainting and installing new lighting and seating.

But all improvements will depend on the new lease that Brein is currently negotiating with the theater’s landlord Marc Gartin. Brein is hoping that the new lease will include workable, financial terms.

“In the past, very little money has been put into the visual aspects of the theater,” said Brein.

The Admiral Theater’s previous manager, Steve Garrett, took advantage of donors by offering a name plaque on the back of a new seat for each $40 donated. After donations were made, Garrett left the theater without upgrading the seats or creating the promised name plates.

Brein has since tried to compensate for the lost funds by offering free movie passes and concessions and will place a plaque with all donors names on it.

Today, Brein is considering a partial conversion of the theater to create a plush, “living room” theater, for V.I.P. events.

“It would be fun for a different kind of entertainment,” said Brein.

Still, Brein says he is committed to maintaining the original character of the historic theater while utilizing modern visual and sound technology.

“There is a fine line between being authentic and being run down,” he said.

In some aspects, Brein may be able to restore some of the theater’s historic aesthetic. Recently the manager discovered more historic murals concealed by drapes in the auditoriums, which he hopes to restore.

The theater was designed by B. Marcus Priteca and built in the early 1900s. Originally designed for Vaudville entertainment, it was later converted into a movie theater in the 1940s.