Zappomatic: Thank you for the report and photos. I’m amazed they’ve reopened in that state!
Looks like good quality work.
I’m assuming those black walls are the final finish pending further fittings on top? Unimpressive compared to, for example, the vestibule marble cladding. As you suggest, wait for the finished result… but… hmm…
Very interesting to see the underside of the IMAX stadia. On the subject of sound leakage, peak level low frequencies were already audible in the foyer—as a “rattle”—so I’m assuming it’s currently worse?
Wonder if insulation will be installed. There is a lot more that could be done; what’s there looks quite inadequate.
It also seems the raised central ceiling section won’t be reinstated, with the whole ceiling at one level.
The position of the “temporary” concessions stand makes some sense, perhaps it will stay there permanently? (Perhaps thereby alleviating the “concessions stand customers in the way of the toilets” issue.)
Zappomatic: Where are you getting the screen number information? Doesn’t show for me on the bookings pages, albeit I imagine with Unlimited you can simply reserve bookings and unreserve them to get the e-ticket showing the screen number/name?
Hmm, I see the IMAX auditorium re-opens with “Fifty Shades.” :–( Ho-hum…
moviebuff82: According to FanaticalAboutOdeon, the works will take 9 months.
Having briefly looked at the plans and cut-away drawing again, and with the “giant screen” quote in my head, I’m thinking Odeon could go much further with this scheme than I had envisaged—with a screen closer to 90ft. wide, for which at “Scope” ratio there should be sufficient height. Naturally, this would involve very significant alterations to the stage end of the auditorium.
As with my previous suggestion, the sightlines from the rear stalls would mean that the last few rows would have to be dropped.
Ian: In the main planning application for the current canopy/signage, which was approved in 2007, the “Empire Theatre” name was proposed to be covered over with an “EMPIRE” sign.
I wonder why it was not installed?
I doubt Westminster would be keen, albeit there are historic precedents for it—and weren’t the outlines of the “EMPIRE THEATRE” name originally illuminated?
The current high-level side IMAX sign, though refused by Westminster, was allowed on appeal. The hung banner adverts have the subject of contention over the years, with the present compromise settled on.
Covering over the “EMPIRE THEATRE” name is the sort of thing that, I suspect, would be used as part of a “compromise deal”—i.e. if you let us do X, we won’t pursue Y—in this case leaving it uncovered.
The building control application for the OLS works (“Refurbishment of Cinema Complex – Odeon") is shown on Westminster’s site, received on the 3rd January 2018. No further information of interest is available.
On the subject of the Safety Curtain, a comment from the Cinema Theatre Association has now been added to the documents for the main planning application, listed as “CINEMA THEATRE ASSOCIATION LATE REP.” It enquires about the safety curtain, to which Westminster’s case officer responds:
“In respect of the pictorial safety curtain, given that the building is not listed alterations to the interior
would not be subject to planning control.
[…]
“It may be of some comfort that I recall from meetings
with the applicant’s design team that they did stress how
it was their intention to refurbish and retain historic
features where possible…”
Indeed the term “large format”—or rather “premium large format”—is marketing jargon, but I’d take it to mean an auditorium of at least medium size, with high end projection, large screen (relative to auditorium size, minimum say about 45ft. wide), and a capable sound system.
The most obvious example is IMAX Digital (typically 1.9:1) installations, which use IMAX’s own projection/sound system with automatic daily recalibration, etc., preferably meeting IMAX’s own standards for auditorium geometry.
Operators are free to brand any screen they like as “premium large format”—aka. IMPACT, iSense, Superscreen, XPlus, Xtreme, etc. In a decent non-IMAX one—e.g. the Superscreen at the Cineworld/Empire LSQ—you’d expect dual projectors, if not laser light source projection, 3D, and Atmos, as well as comfortable stadium seating, etc. As you suggest, many “premium large format”-branded screens are nearer 1.9:1 than “Scope” ratio.
Dolby Cinema is clearly Dolby’s answer to IMAX.
I am not sure if Odeon used the term “large format”—from a Variety article:
“Aron told reporters that the Odeon would certainly have a giant screen, ‘but it won’t be IMAX,’ in order to avoid competing with IMAX’s laser theater in the neighboring Cineworld Empire Leicester Square. Odeon has its own proprietary premium large-screen format, iSense, though it was not confirmed if this would be the format used at the Leicester Square venue.”
Assuming the OLS will be a Dolby Cinema venue, AFAIK it is supposed to be a “constant height” system, so “Scope” movies won’t be letterboxed. That said, as there are no Dolby Cinema venues in the UK to date, it’s not something I’ve paid much attention to.
Lack of masking won’t be that much of a problem with laser light source projection. Having said that, the OLS auditorium is most definitely not black, which might negatively impact the contrast ratio as light makes its way back to the screen.
Of course, one might wonder whether the OLS will retain celluoid projection—and tabs?
Photo of a repair to the Leicester Place elevation uploaded—there has been a “hole” for some time, at least since the IMAX/IMPACT conversion works, as shown in Google Maps Streetview*. Most recently it seemed to have found use as a small dustbin!
No idea if this was a convenient access point for mice and flies. ;–)
(* I had to use a goo.gl link as CT’s software seems to turn the full URL into a link to the Fox Theatre in Detroit!)
A few weeks ago I passed by the Vue West End, and noticed one of the new doors was out of operation! Photo has been uploaded.
I have revisited Vue’s planning applications for the updated frontages, and hidden away in 16/06275/FULL is the “EXISTING SIDE CANOPY” drawing, which states:
“EXISTING CANOPY TO BE REFURBISHED.”
Some other information I stumbled across in the same application:
The “ELECTRICAL SCHEDULES” document has some vague details on the proposed LED strips:
–“Pro Strip” – 5W/m, 304 lumens/metre, 60 LEDs per metre, colour temperature 2700K (i.e. warm white.) –“Pro Strip RGBA” – 20W/m, 60 LEDs per metre. This one is interesting in that each SMD chip has red, green, blue and amber LEDs, “to achieve the desired RAL colour,” rather than the more typical RGBW types.
The “PROPOSED LARGE SIGNAGE” document reveals that the (IMO, horrid) Vue font is “Isonom Befop – Regular.”
It also details the proposed materials and fixings, as do the “PROPOSED FRONT CANOPY” and “PROPOSED SINAGE” documents.
Proposed materials include black lacquered steel and laser cut letters.
The canopy underside lights are specified as “1400mm warm white T5” fittings.
martinC: Odeon have stated that a new “large format” screen will be installed, and that the organ will be retained. The planning applications for the updated facade/signage show a rendering with a large Dolby “Double-D logo” sign, implying that there will be a Dolby Cinema installation (i.e. Dolby Vision/HDR laser projection/specially graded content/Dolby Atmos), which would tie in with the “large format” update.
If they are going to install a larger screen, whilst keeping the organ, one option would be to alter the front splay walls to the proscenium, cutting them back, thus allowing for a screen width greater than 60ft., increased from the present 48ft. I posted a more detailed consideration of this, including sightlines.
Were the screen moveable, then the plans suggest that there is enough room horizontally. However, vertically, the old cut-away diagram has the “proscenium girder” marked and the fly tower behind.
Alternatively, the new screen could simply be installed ahead of the existing proscenium.
Hence, what’s possible all depends on the screen size/position and structural aspects, which may involve tradeoffs between what’s “kept” and what remains “usable”!
I can’t see how all aspects could be retained in their existing form, but presumably the front stage with organ console pit will remain.
Zappomatic: LOL… well, it would make for, erm, a unique augmented cinematic experience. ;–)
Screen 5? The only way I can think that would make sense is if 4/5 become ½, 6 becomes 3, IMAX/Screen 3 becomes IMAX/Screen 4—if they show non-IMAX films, then the IMAX isn’t an “IMAX”!— and 7/8/9 become 5/6/7, with the 4DX and Superscreen unnumbered.
(Incidentally, a number of seats are already reserved for the first screening listed at 19:30!)
I guess then literally all that will have happened is strip out/fit out of the foyer/public access areas. I had an odd dream last night in which I removed a piece of the old marble wall cladding from a skip outside…!
Zappomatic: Thanks for your views on the Superscreen sound system—I’m not too surprised, but it’s disappointing nevertheless. I may as well continue with LSQ as my venue of choice—albeit I’ve not been to the O2 since it was the “Millennium Dome,” so I suppose a revisit would be more than timely!
Regarding LEDs, as a broader comment, the market is a minefield; it is often difficult to identify product quality, including the manufacturer of the LED components used, and plenty of Chinese product is being resold or supplied at very high markups.
For instance, the Vue West End’s canopy underside light strips seem to be two or more rows of LED strips mounted in extrusions, with “opal”-type diffusers/covers. I know this because one of the extrusions only appears to have one working strip!
I have no idea which products were used, and it may be that they have been sourced and installed with the utmost care, but failure seems ridiculous given the £6.6m cost of the refurb; they should last more than a few thousand hours…!
Alas, it’s not uncommon to see LED installations with early failures or dim sections…
It will be interesting to see how Cineworld’s new decorative lighting in their O2 venue’s corridors holds up.
P.S. Just wait for the impact of the sugar tax on “soda” drink sizes… :–(
Westminster Building Control application no. 17/00439/OTHFP has had its status updated to “Building Work Started,” with the 15th January 2018 as the commencement date.
I cannot locate any new licensing application on Westminster’s site, which I assume will be required for the 4DX screen. I suspect the cinema will not be reopening by “early February”!
Incidentally—or perhaps not coincidentally—the hoarding on Leicester Street for the 1-4 Leicester Square works (hotel, etc.) has now been removed.
I took a number of external shots of the OLS last night—most of them turned out badly, not least due to the heavy pedestrian traffic in the square!
The large LED displays on the frontage are off, but the blue LED accents remain on, albeit in a dire state pending replacement.
The entire frontage is surrounded by a hoarding featuring artwork and notices such as “Something very special is coming soon…” and “We’re working had so you can put your feet up…”
The main contractor appears to be 8 Build.
Lights remain on in the circle foyer, and its current state is externally visible. As can be seen in the photo I have uploaded, the ceiling has been partially removed.
I had a look at the current external state of the Empire Leicester Square last night—no changes to the main entrance, but the poster boxes are now empty. The high level IMAX sign remains lit, as does the colour LED display on the left side of the canopy. (Although some sections were flickering!)
Other than the notice on the Leicester Square doors, the only sign of any building work is a “Construction Site” notice on the Leicester Street fire exit doors—photo uploaded.
A couple of repairs seem to have been completed to the Leicester Place elevation, photo to follow.
Zappomatic: The ground floor foyer will be “connected” to the Studios, and frontage alterations will encompass the Studios part of the building also, including new doors, removal of the “Odeon Studios” sign, etc.
See planning application 17/07604/FULL, “Elevations Proposed” and “Plans as Proposed.”
Zappomatic: Thank you for the report and photos. I’m amazed they’ve reopened in that state!
Looks like good quality work.
I’m assuming those black walls are the final finish pending further fittings on top? Unimpressive compared to, for example, the vestibule marble cladding. As you suggest, wait for the finished result… but… hmm…
Very interesting to see the underside of the IMAX stadia. On the subject of sound leakage, peak level low frequencies were already audible in the foyer—as a “rattle”—so I’m assuming it’s currently worse?
Wonder if insulation will be installed. There is a lot more that could be done; what’s there looks quite inadequate.
It also seems the raised central ceiling section won’t be reinstated, with the whole ceiling at one level.
The position of the “temporary” concessions stand makes some sense, perhaps it will stay there permanently? (Perhaps thereby alleviating the “concessions stand customers in the way of the toilets” issue.)
Reopened today:
Press release
It did seem optimistic to have the foyer complete within a few weeks!
Ian: What were you able to see from outside?
Unfinished is more interesting, however… I look forward (with some trepidation!) to Zappomatic’s photos.
Zappomatic: Where are you getting the screen number information? Doesn’t show for me on the bookings pages, albeit I imagine with Unlimited you can simply reserve bookings and unreserve them to get the e-ticket showing the screen number/name?
Hmm, I see the IMAX auditorium re-opens with “Fifty Shades.” :–( Ho-hum…
moviebuff82: According to FanaticalAboutOdeon, the works will take 9 months.
Having briefly looked at the plans and cut-away drawing again, and with the “giant screen” quote in my head, I’m thinking Odeon could go much further with this scheme than I had envisaged—with a screen closer to 90ft. wide, for which at “Scope” ratio there should be sufficient height. Naturally, this would involve very significant alterations to the stage end of the auditorium.
As with my previous suggestion, the sightlines from the rear stalls would mean that the last few rows would have to be dropped.
Ian: In the main planning application for the current canopy/signage, which was approved in 2007, the “Empire Theatre” name was proposed to be covered over with an “EMPIRE” sign.
I wonder why it was not installed?
I doubt Westminster would be keen, albeit there are historic precedents for it—and weren’t the outlines of the “EMPIRE THEATRE” name originally illuminated?
The current high-level side IMAX sign, though refused by Westminster, was allowed on appeal. The hung banner adverts have the subject of contention over the years, with the present compromise settled on.
Covering over the “EMPIRE THEATRE” name is the sort of thing that, I suspect, would be used as part of a “compromise deal”—i.e. if you let us do X, we won’t pursue Y—in this case leaving it uncovered.
The building control application for the OLS works (“Refurbishment of Cinema Complex – Odeon") is shown on Westminster’s site, received on the 3rd January 2018. No further information of interest is available.
On the subject of the Safety Curtain, a comment from the Cinema Theatre Association has now been added to the documents for the main planning application, listed as “CINEMA THEATRE ASSOCIATION LATE REP.” It enquires about the safety curtain, to which Westminster’s case officer responds:
“In respect of the pictorial safety curtain, given that the building is not listed alterations to the interior would not be subject to planning control.
[…]
“It may be of some comfort that I recall from meetings with the applicant’s design team that they did stress how it was their intention to refurbish and retain historic features where possible…”
Indeed the term “large format”—or rather “premium large format”—is marketing jargon, but I’d take it to mean an auditorium of at least medium size, with high end projection, large screen (relative to auditorium size, minimum say about 45ft. wide), and a capable sound system.
The most obvious example is IMAX Digital (typically 1.9:1) installations, which use IMAX’s own projection/sound system with automatic daily recalibration, etc., preferably meeting IMAX’s own standards for auditorium geometry.
Operators are free to brand any screen they like as “premium large format”—aka. IMPACT, iSense, Superscreen, XPlus, Xtreme, etc. In a decent non-IMAX one—e.g. the Superscreen at the Cineworld/Empire LSQ—you’d expect dual projectors, if not laser light source projection, 3D, and Atmos, as well as comfortable stadium seating, etc. As you suggest, many “premium large format”-branded screens are nearer 1.9:1 than “Scope” ratio.
Dolby Cinema is clearly Dolby’s answer to IMAX.
I am not sure if Odeon used the term “large format”—from a Variety article:
“Aron told reporters that the Odeon would certainly have a giant screen, ‘but it won’t be IMAX,’ in order to avoid competing with IMAX’s laser theater in the neighboring Cineworld Empire Leicester Square. Odeon has its own proprietary premium large-screen format, iSense, though it was not confirmed if this would be the format used at the Leicester Square venue.”
Assuming the OLS will be a Dolby Cinema venue, AFAIK it is supposed to be a “constant height” system, so “Scope” movies won’t be letterboxed. That said, as there are no Dolby Cinema venues in the UK to date, it’s not something I’ve paid much attention to.
Lack of masking won’t be that much of a problem with laser light source projection. Having said that, the OLS auditorium is most definitely not black, which might negatively impact the contrast ratio as light makes its way back to the screen.
Of course, one might wonder whether the OLS will retain celluoid projection—and tabs?
Photo of a repair to the Leicester Place elevation uploaded—there has been a “hole” for some time, at least since the IMAX/IMPACT conversion works, as shown in Google Maps Streetview*. Most recently it seemed to have found use as a small dustbin!
No idea if this was a convenient access point for mice and flies. ;–)
(* I had to use a goo.gl link as CT’s software seems to turn the full URL into a link to the Fox Theatre in Detroit!)
In response to Zappomatic’s post on another page:
A few weeks ago I passed by the Vue West End, and noticed one of the new doors was out of operation! Photo has been uploaded.
I have revisited Vue’s planning applications for the updated frontages, and hidden away in 16/06275/FULL is the “EXISTING SIDE CANOPY” drawing, which states:
“EXISTING CANOPY TO BE REFURBISHED.”
Some other information I stumbled across in the same application:
The “ELECTRICAL SCHEDULES” document has some vague details on the proposed LED strips:
–“Pro Strip” – 5W/m, 304 lumens/metre, 60 LEDs per metre, colour temperature 2700K (i.e. warm white.) –“Pro Strip RGBA” – 20W/m, 60 LEDs per metre. This one is interesting in that each SMD chip has red, green, blue and amber LEDs, “to achieve the desired RAL colour,” rather than the more typical RGBW types.
The “PROPOSED LARGE SIGNAGE” document reveals that the (IMO, horrid) Vue font is “Isonom Befop – Regular.”
It also details the proposed materials and fixings, as do the “PROPOSED FRONT CANOPY” and “PROPOSED SINAGE” documents.
Proposed materials include black lacquered steel and laser cut letters.
The canopy underside lights are specified as “1400mm warm white T5” fittings.
FanaticalAboutOdeon: Most interesting!
As an aside, half of the high level Carlsberg sign on top of the adjacent building facade was there for a very long time after it had been out of use.
Zappomatic: Brilliant, thank you again. My order is completed. Good job I have a Bissell wet vaccum with anti-bacterial cleaner!
Zappomatic: Your photo of the corridor to Screens 1-5 looks good; I especially like the cyan coloured decorative lighting.
What are “shiny plastic strips”?
On the subject of the Vue West End, I’ll respond in detail (“oh no?!”) later on its CT page.
martinC: Odeon have stated that a new “large format” screen will be installed, and that the organ will be retained. The planning applications for the updated facade/signage show a rendering with a large Dolby “Double-D logo” sign, implying that there will be a Dolby Cinema installation (i.e. Dolby Vision/HDR laser projection/specially graded content/Dolby Atmos), which would tie in with the “large format” update.
If they are going to install a larger screen, whilst keeping the organ, one option would be to alter the front splay walls to the proscenium, cutting them back, thus allowing for a screen width greater than 60ft., increased from the present 48ft. I posted a more detailed consideration of this, including sightlines.
Were the screen moveable, then the plans suggest that there is enough room horizontally. However, vertically, the old cut-away diagram has the “proscenium girder” marked and the fly tower behind.
Alternatively, the new screen could simply be installed ahead of the existing proscenium.
Hence, what’s possible all depends on the screen size/position and structural aspects, which may involve tradeoffs between what’s “kept” and what remains “usable”!
I can’t see how all aspects could be retained in their existing form, but presumably the front stage with organ console pit will remain.
Zappomatic: Thanks! Can’t find them. Link please?
Zappomatic: LOL… well, it would make for, erm, a unique augmented cinematic experience. ;–)
Screen 5? The only way I can think that would make sense is if 4/5 become ½, 6 becomes 3, IMAX/Screen 3 becomes IMAX/Screen 4—if they show non-IMAX films, then the IMAX isn’t an “IMAX”!— and 7/8/9 become 5/6/7, with the 4DX and Superscreen unnumbered.
Correction: Not LED strips, but LED-lit side glow fibre optic rods.
Another “Fifty Shades” film? Good grief…
(Incidentally, a number of seats are already reserved for the first screening listed at 19:30!)
I guess then literally all that will have happened is strip out/fit out of the foyer/public access areas. I had an odd dream last night in which I removed a piece of the old marble wall cladding from a skip outside…!
Zappomatic: Thanks for your views on the Superscreen sound system—I’m not too surprised, but it’s disappointing nevertheless. I may as well continue with LSQ as my venue of choice—albeit I’ve not been to the O2 since it was the “Millennium Dome,” so I suppose a revisit would be more than timely!
Regarding LEDs, as a broader comment, the market is a minefield; it is often difficult to identify product quality, including the manufacturer of the LED components used, and plenty of Chinese product is being resold or supplied at very high markups.
For instance, the Vue West End’s canopy underside light strips seem to be two or more rows of LED strips mounted in extrusions, with “opal”-type diffusers/covers. I know this because one of the extrusions only appears to have one working strip!
I have no idea which products were used, and it may be that they have been sourced and installed with the utmost care, but failure seems ridiculous given the £6.6m cost of the refurb; they should last more than a few thousand hours…!
Alas, it’s not uncommon to see LED installations with early failures or dim sections…
It will be interesting to see how Cineworld’s new decorative lighting in their O2 venue’s corridors holds up.
P.S. Just wait for the impact of the sugar tax on “soda” drink sizes… :–(
Westminster Building Control application no. 17/00439/OTHFP has had its status updated to “Building Work Started,” with the 15th January 2018 as the commencement date.
I cannot locate any new licensing application on Westminster’s site, which I assume will be required for the 4DX screen. I suspect the cinema will not be reopening by “early February”!
Incidentally—or perhaps not coincidentally—the hoarding on Leicester Street for the 1-4 Leicester Square works (hotel, etc.) has now been removed.
I took a number of external shots of the OLS last night—most of them turned out badly, not least due to the heavy pedestrian traffic in the square!
The large LED displays on the frontage are off, but the blue LED accents remain on, albeit in a dire state pending replacement.
The entire frontage is surrounded by a hoarding featuring artwork and notices such as “Something very special is coming soon…” and “We’re working had so you can put your feet up…”
The main contractor appears to be 8 Build.
Lights remain on in the circle foyer, and its current state is externally visible. As can be seen in the photo I have uploaded, the ceiling has been partially removed.
Oops… I meant to say January 2018.
I had a look at the current external state of the Empire Leicester Square last night—no changes to the main entrance, but the poster boxes are now empty. The high level IMAX sign remains lit, as does the colour LED display on the left side of the canopy. (Although some sections were flickering!)
Other than the notice on the Leicester Square doors, the only sign of any building work is a “Construction Site” notice on the Leicester Street fire exit doors—photo uploaded.
A couple of repairs seem to have been completed to the Leicester Place elevation, photo to follow.
FanaticalAboutOdeon: Thank you very much for your detailed descriptions of the OLS foyer pre-1998. My reply is still pending!
Zappomatic: The ground floor foyer will be “connected” to the Studios, and frontage alterations will encompass the Studios part of the building also, including new doors, removal of the “Odeon Studios” sign, etc.
See planning application 17/07604/FULL, “Elevations Proposed” and “Plans as Proposed.”