In 1996, the City of Claremont acquired the Padua Hills Theatre from Pomona College through the purchase of 1,220 acres of hillside property that now makes up the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park. The theatre, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1930 by Pasadena architects Marston & Maybury. The theatre has a rich cultural history and served as home to the Mexican Players, a nationally known Mexican-American theatre group, from 1930 to 1974.

In 2006 the City commissioned a Feasibility Study to determine future uses for the facility. At the recommendation of the Feasibility Study, the City of Claremont released a Request for Proposals in 2007 for businesses interested in leasing and renovating the Padua Hills Theatre complex. In 2008 the City selected and entered into a Ground Lease agreement with Arteco Partners. The public-private partnerships resulted in a $4 million renovation to the Padua Hills Theatre facility. The renovated facility is available for private social and cultural events. The public-private partnership also guarantees continued public access to the theatre through a Community Use Program that provides 18 community use dates annually for City and community events.