Alan Lewis Sends Message to Exeter Community

Alan Lewis, the real estate mogul who owns the historic Ioka building in downtown Exeter, recently had a message posted on its marquee after a deal to sell the building to a local nonprofit fell through.

"The Lewis family is sorry funding fell short of goal," the message reads.

The Exeter Theater Company has been in talks with Lewis to operate the building since he bought it for $600,000 at a 2011 auction. That price was nearly double the building's assessed value at the time.

Lewis offered to lease the building to the theater company but changed his mind and wanted it to buy it. The theater company declined to do so after it said it didn't raise enough money.

The future of the Ioka, which was built in 1915, is now in limbo.

Another sign Lewis put up on the marquee say he's "seeking a historic preservation partner" and lists a phone number, 603-583-4321.

Lewis couldn't be reached for comment Friday. He hasn't done any media interviews about the Ioka since he bought it.

An automated message on the phone number listed on the marquee says, "Please do not leave messages related to the Exeter Theater Company ... it is a separate and unrelated organization."

Adam Roberts, a spokesman for the theater company, said his group is still willing to work out a deal with Lewis. The theater company wants to turn the Ioka into a community theater for movies and plays, among other performances.

"We're not sure what (Lewis') plans are," Roberts said.

Lewis operates the Kensington Investment Company, which bills itself as a "socially and environmentally responsible real estate development and investment company." The company has several real estate holdings in Boston, Mass.

For decades, the Ioka screened films and was a venue for various performances. Before it was sold to Lewis, the building was used as a Zumba studio.