NuWilshire Theatre
1314 Wilshire Boulevard,
Santa Monica,
CA
90403
1314 Wilshire Boulevard,
Santa Monica,
CA
90403
26 people
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From the sound of things; it looks like the owners do not want to own a movie theatre any longer. There goes the idea of another taking over the lease. Adios Wilshire theatre.
See the Regent Theatre was retail before Laemmle Theatres turned it into a movie theatre and then Mann Theatres won the new lease and redid the theatre in their blue color decor. Since the Regent is somewhat small, it’s safe unless the owners own the other properties next door. The NuWilshire would be safe till the lease is up or theatre stops making money for the chain. The city council route would work more for the retirement home but the landlord could close the property (theatre) and let it sit and tell and show hardship from not being able to develop the property. And it’s about how much more property taxes the city can make on the new building.
If the Westwood Regent real estate value is higher than as a moviehouse, it is safe only as long as Landmark wishes to stay there (gets enough movie customers & doesn’t want to leave to focus on multiplex). If the landlord could get higher rent from another tenant or sell for great profit to a developer, and if Landmark is happy to leave, then they both agree to end the lease early.
If there the NuWilshire lease had another few years, then Landmark didn’t need to depart, right?
While I do not have any clearer details, what the above poster said is true: Landmark does not want to leave, but it has been effectively given the heave by the property owner.
The recourse that film lovers may have is that in order for the owner to get anything done with the building, such as put in his underground parking or redo the interior, he must get approval from Santa Monica city council. He owns a retirement home nearby that he has repeatedly attempted to raze for luxury apartments, but the residents have mobilized each time his application comes up in front of council and vigorously protested, thus keeping him from kicking them out. So if enough people go to protest his plans when he tries to get them past council, he may have to give up. It won’t be easy, it will require effort, but there is some degree of hope.
The Westwood Regent is safe for now: a long-term lease is in effect.
Landmark does not own the NuWilshire. The company was renting from an owner who has been trying to get them out for a while now. As much of a fan I am of the theater and as familiar as I am with its history I would love to see another theater company pick it up. Unfortunately this may not happen. About 3 or 4 months ago, an article was printed in the Santa Monica Daily paper regarding the theatre closing. It seems that the lease was to be up in a few years and the owner was planning to open up a jeans outlet in its place. There was something in the article about having a new underground parking facility which seems a bit absurd. However, the lease had not run out yet and that is why I was not shocked to hear about the theater closing now but a bit surprised that the end had come so soon. The NuWilshire Theatre, as far as I know, was actually the most profitable theater for Landmark in Los Angeles the past year. The Nuart sort of lost out due to the expense of neverending renovations it went through. So although it seems like Landmark is changing their plan as far as the type of theatres they own and operate, I wouldn’t be so sure that it was completely up to them to close the Nuwilshire in the first place. After all, it is going to take the company a long while to make the money back that was put into The Landmark and I think the Nuwilshire seemed like something they would want to keep around at least until The Landmark became profitable itself. When I get the facts, I will post again.
Mann Theatres operated the Wilshire, and I think they leased it. One problem is that the theatre sits on a nice piece of land on Wilshire Blvd.. The stores next to the property are all regular retail, nothing special. There is a small city owned metered parking lot on the stagehouse side of the building. Most of the original decor of the theatre was removed in the twinning. Landmark added stereo after Mann left.
Does Landmark own this theater?
If owned by someone else, and IF the rent is right, and IF the theater is still profitable (lots of ticket buyers!), then maybe one of those other movie operators will be interested. If there are as few ticket buyers as the South Pasadena Rialto, or apparently the National had, then forget its reopening.
And, if Landmark owns it, they may not wish a competitor to reopen it. They could rent it out for non-entertainment or sell to a developer.
The Regent has to follow soon. Unless Landmark has a long-term deal with Disney product. (which rather dilutes their in my mind).
The Nuart is safe. The NuWilshire will have its last day on November 8th of this year. It will be missed.
I think someone will snap up the NuWilshire once Landmark lets it go. Landmark seems to want to focus on the Landmark 12 and wants to become an AMC for the art theatre crowd. I have not been to the Landmark 12 and have no plans to ever go.
I have not been to the NuWilshire since the new Landmark 12 plex has opened, but the crowds were usually pretty good there. I think there are plenty who would prefer not to drive all the way to the Westside Pavillion for the more expensive Landmark 12 when they could walk to the cozy NuWilshire (or Laemmle Monica 4 Plex). I find it disconcerting that Landmark wants to evolve into a chic, upscale art/indpependent megaplex chain. I went to the new Landmark and saw Into the Wild there and found the whole experience a bit sterile and cold. The film has now expanded its run to include the NuWilshire, where I would have preferred to see it in retrospect.
If Landmark does dump it, hopefully Laemmle or Regency will pick it up. Really, where would you rather see a restored Fellini film, or the latest French or Russian period drama? At the sterile Landmark, which looks like it is trying to emulate the latest hip hotel lobby, or a cozier setting, like the NuWilshire, the Royal, or the Monica 4 where you may want to linger in the lobby and talk to your friends about the film you just saw while deciding where to grab a bite…
It does not look like the NuWilshire will close in October. They have a film called SHARKWATER opening Nov 2.
Landmark recently did a extensive face lift on the Nuart, it may be safe (for now).
They’d better not dump the Nuart!
Landmark should change thier name since they are pretty much dumping all the “Landmark” theatres they operate. Unless the owner is demolishing the building, I’m sure someone will take over the lease.
Indeed, 1st the Rialto in South Pasadena, and now this one. As Landmark continues to build megaplex arthouses, people should realize that Landmark may no longer be interested in historic neighborhood moviehouses. Landmark wants you to go to their new megaplex-that’s why.
Geesh!!! Landmark is dumping almost all of thier SoCal theatres. Last month the Rialto. Will they dump The Regent Westwood next?
I grew up in Santa Monica and frequented the theatre when it was a single screen MANN theatre. My mother worked there as a teenager in the 1940’s. Sad loss. Perhaps Regency will pickup the lease. It seems in thier league.
Looks like the NuWilshire will be closing down by the end of this month. It is time for us to say goodbye to one of the oldest and grandest art houses in Los Angeles. It will be missed by many but unfortunately we are not the ones in charge. It would be nice if someone could at least explain the reasons why… Anybody?
1992 from the Santa Monica PL:
http://tinyurl.com/2tjvml
There was a robbery around that time at that theatre. The Silent Movie Theatre also had one.
You may be thinking of the Silent Movie theater on Fairfax.
Does anyone know if the murder/robbery at this theater in 1987 was ever solved?
Here is a picture shortly before the grand opening in 1930:
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics18/00028809.jpg
This is a 1938 photo from the LA Library:
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics18/00028810.jpg
Fox West Coast Theatres did a extensive remodeling to the Wilshire Theatre in mid 1961, with it reopening in the fall of that year. During this remodel Fox West Coast Theatres spent nearly $100,000 in modernizing the theatre. In this they did a complete revision of the front and entrance area and a reseating of the auditorium. In this remodeling the capacity was reduced to 836 from the 1189 in the past. In the reseating they installed American Bodiform chairs in a new plan for inproved sightlines and comfort. In this plan it provided a distrance of 36 inches back to back on the main floor and 38 inches in the loge section. Auditorium redecoration features new draperies for a screen extending all most to walls and modern luminaries. A new facade has been erected fo imported tile into which the box office has been integrated on the right side. The new lobby scheme also incorporates large aluminum poster cases. Remodeling included general modernization of illumination, a new ladies cosmetic room, completely refurbished wash rooms and new Alexander Smith carpeting through the theatre as part of a fresh decorative scheme colorful and lively with pattern. A new colorful concession stand opposite the metal framed glass doors. In its decorative aspects, the renovation was pointed,as expressed in a statement by the circuit, “to provide atmosshere of color, glamor and luxury tastefully combined with one of relaxation.”
The next remodel would come when Mann Theatres twinned the theatre in the 70’s.