After almost three years of hosting diverse and eclectic shows, the final curtain has closed at the Adams Avenue Studio of the Arts.

The studio opened at 2804 Adams Ave. in June 2003 as a flexible, 1,500 square-foot, 49-seat “black-box space,” the only such facility in San Diego not located on a campus, according to Bob Korbett, owner and artist director of Korbett Kompany Productions.

Korbett said he has closed the performance space as of Dec. 1, because he feels the building has not been brought up to the building codes by its owners as originally planned.

“In my opinion, the place is no longer safe for either the actors or the audience to go into,” Korbett said. “The expectations I had of the landlord to do the things I understood he would do in two and a half years have not come to fruition. The place is just not an appropriate theater space.”

Korbett said the building did receive a new façade and roof as promised when he moved in, but the building’s exterior does not match his expectations. “You still can’t tell it’s a performance space from the outside,” he said, adding that it took a lot of “yelling and screaming” before the roof was completed.

His biggest issue, however, is the unresolved dilemma of water damage in the walls and floor from last year’s rains and the potential of flooding again this year.

“How can I take money from people and give them a place to do their shows if there is a repeat of last year?” Korbett asked.

Terry Shaw, a spokesperson for the building’s owner, Suey Hom, refuted Korbett’s claims. “There is nothing wrong with the building,” he said. “We really haven’t given him anything to complain about.”

Shaw said he was hopeful the theater would be successful in the Adams Avenue location, but added that, since Korbett was allegedly confrontational and a “bully” toward the owner, he is glad to see it close.

“I’ve been hopeful that the theater would work there. It was nice to have something artistic for a change … we were very optimistic that Bob’s studio would work,” Shaw said. “Frankly, we’ll be happy when he’s gone. It’s really unfortunate because we wanted good things to happen for Bob.”

Korbett Kompany has produced two dozen productions at the studio since the studio opened, including Carousel; Butterflies Are Free; Bell, Book and Candle; and Halstead Street, Chicago. The company’s latest production, Mambo Italiano, played to sold out houses. Most of the shows were gay themed or included gay characters.

“Korbett Kompany Productions is a not-for-profit theater organization whose mission is to promote and support community-based performance/visual arts programs and educational services,” Korbett said. “Through young person and adult performances, classes and workshops, we hoped to open communication between the members of our community and reflect its diversity.”

Local theater organizations such as Poor Players, Backyard Productions, Misfit Productions, Grass Roots Greeks and Lynx Performances, among others, have used the studio for rehearsals and performances. The space was booked through March 2006.

In concert, the studio has hosted Skott Freedman, Mark deVille Jobson, David Carter, Jovial Kemp and Eric Himan. Jade Esteban Estrada returned for the third time last weekend as the final show for the Adams Avenue Studio.

Despite the closing of the studio, the show still goes on for Korbett Kompany. The company’s traditional February Valentine offering, Bad Date Theatre, will be performed at the North Park Vaudeville Theater Feb. 3-18.

“We will become gypsies, like so many other local theater companies, and use other venues,” Korbett said of Korbett Kompany Productions.

In addition, Korbett is seeking out new spaces to reopen his Studio for the Arts.

“I want to create another space. I want it to be a black box space. I want to reach out to the community so we can have the readings, the auditions, the shows, the concerts,” he said.

Korbett said he is already looking at possible new locations. “I’m going to stay the course and continue doing theater. I feel like I have a responsibility to the community.”