A prominent Harvard donor is building an independent theater in Harvard Square that could ease the space crunch for theater groups at Harvard and in Cambridge.

Gregory C. Carr, a Kennedy School of Government alumnus and founder of Harvard's Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, confirmed yesterday that that he has purchased 89 Winthrop Street, which formerly housed Grendel's Restaurant.

He said he has spent "several million" dollars to purchase the building and begin construction on what he says will be a "multi-use theater" owned and operated by the Carr Foundation, a human-rights organization.

The theater space will be used for professional theater performances, collaborations with the American Repertory Theatre (ART) and possibly undergraduate use, as well as public events sponsored by the Car Foundation, such as the group's human rights film series.

The theater will open in March 2001, he said.

While the theater has no formal connection to Harvard, undergraduate performers could benefit from its opening.

"We'd be delighted to have student activity from time to time," Carr said.

Carr, a former Quincy House non-resident tutor, came up with the idea for the theater in March, after working with the ART on a human-rights theater project. He enjoyed the experience-and then he wandered by the Grendel's site, and noticed it was empty.