The best bet, if there were to be a return to film exhibition within the building’s existent commercial space, would be a build engineered on behalf of an experienced exhibitor, such as the operator of the Kew Gardens, Cobble Hill and Williamsburg Cinemas. Otherwise, retail seems its likely fate.
Gerald Chan, the current owner of the Harvard Square Theatre, is facing pressure from members of the Cambridge City Council to soon declare his plans for the building. (Article here: http://www.cambridgeday.com/2017/02/28/seeing-cinema-empty-nearly-five-years-officials-are-losing-patience-with-owner/.)
I wish the local Parkchester community the absolute best of luck in re-opening the American but, from appearances via the News 12 story, the theatre seems to already be in the process of being gutted.
Walked by this cinema last night and noticed it was closed, as per its blank marquee, Big Cinemas signage painted black and sign posted on one of the main theatre entry doors. Too soon to tell if another operator might take over or if a retail conversion is next.
On another note, Midtown East now has more physically vacant screens – this one, the three at 64th & 2nd, and the six at 1st & 62nd – than it does operating ones (the three at the Cinema 1, 2 & 3 and the two at the Beekman).
I noticed when I visited this theatre (which I quickly fell in love with, for its charms and its programming) for the first time, a few weeks ago, that it’s still all 35MM. Hopefully the lack of digital projection, at least for now, isn’t an indication of its impending closing.
There are two users I can think of who violate the healthy conversational spirit of this site – the one Ed referred to above and another – U.S., west coast-based – who has, on multiple occasions, sniped at and insulted fellow commenters whose helpful posts may sometimes be slightly off in detail. Thank you, Ross, for reaffirming what Cinema Treasures represents: a healthy dialogue and a thoughtfully-composed database for theatre lovers worldwide.
Alamo Drafthouse won’t be opening at the Metro, after all: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/01/alamo-drafthouse-scraps-plan-for-upper-west-side-movie-theater/
Nothing particularly notable happening as of yet, Mike, beyond the removal of some ceiling titles in the ground-level hallway to the left of the lobby and a For Lease sign on the left-center glass entrance door which keeps falling to the floor.
Is the cinema space currently being utilized? After the Cinema Latino effort ended, I remember reading online, sometime around 2010, that one of the auditoriums was hosting amateur wrestling matches, but no word on any events or usage since.
I suspect the recent re-wording on the main marquee is in relation to the new movie theatre opening in Chestnut Hill. Meanwhile, the redevelopment of the Circle Cinemas site still appears to be proceeding: http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/allston_brighton/2013/05/city_to_host_public_meeting_to.html
According to this blog post by Lou Lumenick of the NY Post – http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/movies/ziegfeld_including_chelsea_managed_6RLLoZEC6HsB7fThUDFY2N#axzz2Rz9eiRE7 – the First & 62nd Street Cinemas' days are numbered. When it closes, Midtown East will be left with just six operating screens – the Cinema 1, 2, 3; the two screens at the Beekman; and the single screen at the Big Cinemas Manhattan, on 59th Street. (If there was ever a prime neighborhood for Arclight to expand into the NYC market – and if they could find the real estate – this would be it.)
Walked by the 64th and 2nd last night and it is now closed, with the United Artists signage removed from the top of the marquee. No ‘For Lease’ signs visible, so I imagine it’s possible, at least at this point in time, for a smaller theatre chain (I’m thinking City Cinemas) to take over the space. Otherwise, it’s another Upper East Side theatre biting the dust.
The UA East 85th Street is closing permanently after this Sunday’s 9:50 pm screening of Friends with Kids. No word as of yet on the next tenant for the space but I’ll see what I can find out.
The Anthropologie store opened on February 17th. Some photos and a brief write-up: http://ny.racked.com/archives/2012/03/02/new_anthro.php#4f510fb285216d08a70038ba
br91975
commented about
Cinemaon
Oct 11, 2011 at 12:17 pm
The Cinema has been converted into a Crunch Fitness location.
I’m really glad you joined the Cinema Treasures community, jnova; welcome aboard!
One question I asked a few years ago which, if anyone here can answer, it’s you: what was the layout of the interior of the Nova? I never had the privilege of seeing a film there but remember the downward floor just inside the entrance and the one-sheet cases along each wall.
Why not double-book with the Arclight? I remember that happened two years ago with Terminator: Salvation and it routinely occurs here in NYC with two theatres that are in the same zone, the AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13 and the AMC Loews 84th Street 6, for blockbuster and family films.
The best bet, if there were to be a return to film exhibition within the building’s existent commercial space, would be a build engineered on behalf of an experienced exhibitor, such as the operator of the Kew Gardens, Cobble Hill and Williamsburg Cinemas. Otherwise, retail seems its likely fate.
A Victoria’s Secret location currently occupies the former AMC Criterion 6 space.
The former Back Lot space is currently used for storage.
Gerald Chan, the current owner of the Harvard Square Theatre, is facing pressure from members of the Cambridge City Council to soon declare his plans for the building. (Article here: http://www.cambridgeday.com/2017/02/28/seeing-cinema-empty-nearly-five-years-officials-are-losing-patience-with-owner/.)
Thank you for the clarification, Al.
Where was the seventh screen located and what became of it?
I wish the local Parkchester community the absolute best of luck in re-opening the American but, from appearances via the News 12 story, the theatre seems to already be in the process of being gutted.
Walked by this cinema last night and noticed it was closed, as per its blank marquee, Big Cinemas signage painted black and sign posted on one of the main theatre entry doors. Too soon to tell if another operator might take over or if a retail conversion is next.
On another note, Midtown East now has more physically vacant screens – this one, the three at 64th & 2nd, and the six at 1st & 62nd – than it does operating ones (the three at the Cinema 1, 2 & 3 and the two at the Beekman).
I noticed when I visited this theatre (which I quickly fell in love with, for its charms and its programming) for the first time, a few weeks ago, that it’s still all 35MM. Hopefully the lack of digital projection, at least for now, isn’t an indication of its impending closing.
There are two users I can think of who violate the healthy conversational spirit of this site – the one Ed referred to above and another – U.S., west coast-based – who has, on multiple occasions, sniped at and insulted fellow commenters whose helpful posts may sometimes be slightly off in detail. Thank you, Ross, for reaffirming what Cinema Treasures represents: a healthy dialogue and a thoughtfully-composed database for theatre lovers worldwide.
Construction work has begun within the former 64th & Second space. No word as of yet on who the next tenant will be.
Alamo Drafthouse won’t be opening at the Metro, after all: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/01/alamo-drafthouse-scraps-plan-for-upper-west-side-movie-theater/
konaaz: the company representing the property is Sarasota, FL.-based Marisa Rose Management and their contact number is 941.782.8649.
Nothing particularly notable happening as of yet, Mike, beyond the removal of some ceiling titles in the ground-level hallway to the left of the lobby and a For Lease sign on the left-center glass entrance door which keeps falling to the floor.
Is the cinema space currently being utilized? After the Cinema Latino effort ended, I remember reading online, sometime around 2010, that one of the auditoriums was hosting amateur wrestling matches, but no word on any events or usage since.
I suspect the recent re-wording on the main marquee is in relation to the new movie theatre opening in Chestnut Hill. Meanwhile, the redevelopment of the Circle Cinemas site still appears to be proceeding: http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/allston_brighton/2013/05/city_to_host_public_meeting_to.html
According to this blog post by Lou Lumenick of the NY Post – http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/movies/ziegfeld_including_chelsea_managed_6RLLoZEC6HsB7fThUDFY2N#axzz2Rz9eiRE7 – the First & 62nd Street Cinemas' days are numbered. When it closes, Midtown East will be left with just six operating screens – the Cinema 1, 2, 3; the two screens at the Beekman; and the single screen at the Big Cinemas Manhattan, on 59th Street. (If there was ever a prime neighborhood for Arclight to expand into the NYC market – and if they could find the real estate – this would be it.)
Walked by the 64th and 2nd last night and it is now closed, with the United Artists signage removed from the top of the marquee. No ‘For Lease’ signs visible, so I imagine it’s possible, at least at this point in time, for a smaller theatre chain (I’m thinking City Cinemas) to take over the space. Otherwise, it’s another Upper East Side theatre biting the dust.
It’s been booked into the Village East Cinemas here in NYC.
The UA East 85th Street is closing permanently after this Sunday’s 9:50 pm screening of Friends with Kids. No word as of yet on the next tenant for the space but I’ll see what I can find out.
The Anthropologie store opened on February 17th. Some photos and a brief write-up: http://ny.racked.com/archives/2012/03/02/new_anthro.php#4f510fb285216d08a70038ba
The Cinema has been converted into a Crunch Fitness location.
I’m really glad you joined the Cinema Treasures community, jnova; welcome aboard!
One question I asked a few years ago which, if anyone here can answer, it’s you: what was the layout of the interior of the Nova? I never had the privilege of seeing a film there but remember the downward floor just inside the entrance and the one-sheet cases along each wall.
Coming soon to the former AMC Loews 72nd Street East 1 space – Anthropologie. Story: View link
Why not double-book with the Arclight? I remember that happened two years ago with Terminator: Salvation and it routinely occurs here in NYC with two theatres that are in the same zone, the AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13 and the AMC Loews 84th Street 6, for blockbuster and family films.