I’m not from Chicago, but I think you’re confusing this theatre with a similarly named one. The article you link to shows it’s address as
4901 W. Irving Park Road.
I was only in the Bank of America Theatre once, when it was known as the LaSalle Bank Theatre. I saw “Jersey Boys” with a friend of mine View link
“I’m not sure why there is a preservation effort underway when the space where the theater sits is scheduled to be part of the redevelopment effort.”
It’s because some of us don’t like AMC and still appreciate the fare that smaller theatres like this, the Manor, and the Regent Square show. Besides, this country has gotten too over condo-ized and small businesses like these theatres provide welcome relief.
You are right though. They could have done a better job on the remodeling. There are independent cinemas that still hold their own against the big chains.
Interesting that a 12 screen multiplex should be demolished after only 14 years. Of course here in the Pittsburgh Area, we have the infamous Loews 20 North Versailles which opened in 1999 and closed in 2001. We also have the Star City 14/Screenworks 14 which only lasted a few years too (and was a really nice theatre).
I’d like to see this theatre cleaned up and reopened. Even though this wasn’t the cleanest or most modern cinema, I used to like coming here. I really don’t like the AMC Loews Waterfront at all. I’m glad the Manor and Regent Square are still open (and within walking distance).
It’s in the Waterfront, which is a shopping center/“lifestyle center” built on the site of the old US Steel Homestead Works. Where once high paying industrial jobs existed, now low-paid sales clerks ring up sales of goods made in China at places like Target and Abercrombie & Fitch.
The Waterfront itself is okay, but the rest of Homestead remains devastated by the loss of the mills and it’s ancillary businesses like Mesta Machine. Check out my reviews of the Waterfront View link here. Be sure to click on the two Youtube clips for songs about Homestead.
And despite what I said above, and despite that I like this place’s archeitecture, I’m beginning to dislike this theatre.
Thanks. While the Squirrel Hill had gotten run down, it was one of the few places in the ‘Burgh that would show art & indie licks as well as the mainstream ones. The others would be the Manor and the Regent Square, where my husband and I have seasons passes. I was very fortunate to have all three within walking distance to my house.
Don’t get me wrong, I like big budget mainstream films as much as the next person. Indeed me and my girlfriends got our “chick testosterone” up one niight and headed to the Dependable Drive-In to see “GI Joe”> But I really enjoy fare like “The Last Station”, “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, etc and venues that show what I like (and my husband likes) are disappearing.
Here’s a list I did on Pittsburgh area cinemas View link for another site. It’s sad how many have closed recently. Fortunately the Hollywood is up and running again and hopefully the Denis will be soon. But neither of these are close to my house.
Loews 20 North Versailles was another one. It was only open from 1999-2001.
HDTV 267
I’m not from Chicago, but I think you’re confusing this theatre with a similarly named one. The article you link to shows it’s address as
4901 W. Irving Park Road.
I was only in the Bank of America Theatre once, when it was known as the LaSalle Bank Theatre. I saw “Jersey Boys” with a friend of mine View link
Mr. Bean.
“I’m not sure why there is a preservation effort underway when the space where the theater sits is scheduled to be part of the redevelopment effort.”
It’s because some of us don’t like AMC and still appreciate the fare that smaller theatres like this, the Manor, and the Regent Square show. Besides, this country has gotten too over condo-ized and small businesses like these theatres provide welcome relief.
You are right though. They could have done a better job on the remodeling. There are independent cinemas that still hold their own against the big chains.
I’m glad this place is staying open. They play a nice mix of movies here.
Besides, Pittsburgh already has too many shuttered multiplexes and cinemas.
So the description of this place should be updated to state that it will remain open.
I think I saw the early 90s version of “Dracula” here.
Interesting that a 12 screen multiplex should be demolished after only 14 years. Of course here in the Pittsburgh Area, we have the infamous Loews 20 North Versailles which opened in 1999 and closed in 2001. We also have the Star City 14/Screenworks 14 which only lasted a few years too (and was a really nice theatre).
Here’s some news on a fundraiser they tried to hold. Alas the snow gods of this past year weren’t kind to them View link
Here are some cool photos http://www.denistheater.org/Construction/Archive
I’d like to see this theatre cleaned up and reopened. Even though this wasn’t the cleanest or most modern cinema, I used to like coming here. I really don’t like the AMC Loews Waterfront at all. I’m glad the Manor and Regent Square are still open (and within walking distance).
Yet another Pittsburgh cinema closes.
What a waste—to demolish a 16 screen multiplex that’s less than 10 years old.
Of course here in Pittsburgh, we have the Loews 20 North Versailles which opened in 1999 and closed in 2001.
My Chicago friend Catherine (who used to be on this site) says Chicago’s McClurg Court was like this place.
Oh I hope nobody inferred anything racial by my above comment.
John,
That’s why I prefer the Manor, even if it’s a little dingy.
Cinemagic closed the nearby Squirrel Hill. I hope they keep the Manor open. They show movies here that AMC won’t.
TSLOEWS,
It’s in the Waterfront, which is a shopping center/“lifestyle center” built on the site of the old US Steel Homestead Works. Where once high paying industrial jobs existed, now low-paid sales clerks ring up sales of goods made in China at places like Target and Abercrombie & Fitch.
The Waterfront itself is okay, but the rest of Homestead remains devastated by the loss of the mills and it’s ancillary businesses like Mesta Machine. Check out my reviews of the Waterfront View link here. Be sure to click on the two Youtube clips for songs about Homestead.
And despite what I said above, and despite that I like this place’s archeitecture, I’m beginning to dislike this theatre.
It’s amazing that Monroeville had at least three theatres and now none are left.
I still think this would be a great area for a new or modernized cinema.
I vaguely remember this cinema. Interesting how the cinema marquee was refashioned as the dollar store sign.
Norelco,
I was born in 1977 so I don’t remember any of those theatres you listed. Still, what a rich movie going experience you’ve had.
Are any former Cinemettes still in business?
“This is probably the record for the largest closed multiplex,”
No, the Loews' 20 North Versailles opened in 1999 and closed in 2001.
The address should be Cheswick, PA 15024. Cheswick doesn’t use the Pittsburgh Zipcodes like Penn Hills, Greentree, and Dormont do.
Penn Hills does get a bad rap. There are plenty of good areas in Penn Hills.
Squirrel Hill is now closed. Update to my list above.
Hey, I tried to post this story last week!
Norelco,
Thanks. While the Squirrel Hill had gotten run down, it was one of the few places in the ‘Burgh that would show art & indie licks as well as the mainstream ones. The others would be the Manor and the Regent Square, where my husband and I have seasons passes. I was very fortunate to have all three within walking distance to my house.
Don’t get me wrong, I like big budget mainstream films as much as the next person. Indeed me and my girlfriends got our “chick testosterone” up one niight and headed to the Dependable Drive-In to see “GI Joe”> But I really enjoy fare like “The Last Station”, “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, etc and venues that show what I like (and my husband likes) are disappearing.
Here’s a list I did on Pittsburgh area cinemas View link for another site. It’s sad how many have closed recently. Fortunately the Hollywood is up and running again and hopefully the Denis will be soon. But neither of these are close to my house.