Water-Grand Holding Co. v. Majestic Theatre Co.
Water-Grand Holding Co. v. Majestic Theatre Co.
Opinion of the Court
It is deemed unnecessary to discuss the claims made by the respective parties as to the possible effect of their correspondence and conferences prior to the commencement of these proceedings in view of the conclusion that is reached as to the proper construction, under the facts, that should be given to the language of the lease which is here quoted:
“It is further covenanted and agreed between the parties hereto, that the lessee shall have the right at its sole expense (in so far as such right can be granted by the lessor), at all times during the term of this lease, to erect, maintain, and operate an electric vertical sign in front of the building of which the demised premises form a part, of substantially the dimensions and in substantially the location to be provided for in the said plans and specifications above referred to, and lessee shall have the right at its expense from time to time to remove such electric sign and erect, maintain, and operate a new or different electric sign, provided only that such new electric sign from time to time shall be located substantially in the same location, and be of substantially the same dimensions as the old sign.”
That the right to erect and maintain a large electric light sign on the front of the building was of great value to a theatre tenant paying the large rent here required and occupying a substantial part of the entire building, is not and cannot be questioned.
In construing the above quoted vital portions of the lease granting this valuable right to the tenant, we have no difficulty in reaching the same conclusion which the trial court did, viz. that the substance and essence of this grant was and is that such sign was to be measured, so far as any right by the landlord to limit its size is concerned, by the size as designated and permitted by the plans of the building. The plans were prepared for its original construction and were acceptable to and recognized as binding on both landlord and
Considering all the material parts of this lease, we are satisfied that it would be an unreásonable construction of the same to hold that the language at the end of the above quoted provisions, viz. “provided only that such new electric sign from time to time shall be located substantially in the same location and be of substantially the same dimensions as the old sign;” carried in a lease for such a long term as twenty-five years; with express and explicit recognition of the controlling effect to be given to city ordinances and regulations in such matters; with the possibility of constant changes in such regulations; and clearly recognizing by the phrases “substantially in the same location” and “substantially of the same dimensions,” this basic idea of the plans refers to any other sign than a sign that would be permissible under the provisions of the agreed plans and specifications. The respondent lessee was therefore clearly entitled to'the relief granted by the trial court. ' • x';
By the Court. — Judgment affirmed.
Reference
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- Water-Grand Holding Company v. Majestic Theatre Company
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