AMC AVCO Center

It looks like when the Avco Cinemas reopens after the remodel. It will be a Six Plex complex with auditoriums seating 70-150 people. http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/dinner-and-movie-westwoods-avco-theater-set-multimillion-dollar-renovation-34221?page=0,0

Countdown to bankruptcy/re-closure in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…

I just don’t understand why, if you’re going to spend that kind of money on renovating that theater, you wouldn’t at least consider restoring the original screen downstairs (something that might actually appeal to film fans). I doubt, however, that the new operator even has any knowledge of what the Avco used to be. They’re moving in to basically do what drove people away in the first place; twinning what’s left and carving it up even more. I can’t imagine wanting to see anything in a theater with only 150 seats, and that’s the BIG auditorium. I agree with what Greg Laemmle said in that article with regard to the companies involved being more interested in being restaurateurs and bartenders than film exhibitors. Sorry, but the Avco ended up in about the worst hands it could have. I had initially held out hope that we may get someone in there who really remembered how important this theater was historically in Los Angeles and what it really could have been again, but instead we got another slash and burn “entrepreneur” to make this theater even less desirable than it has been for nearly 20 years.

I am curious how they plan to break up the auditoriums and where they plan to put the kitchen.

They will most likely just gut it out and start from scratch. The first floor has quite alot of space for those who remember when it was a large screen. I still have to think it will be somewhat awkward though. Not really sure if it will catch on unless the food is good because I would imagine the presentation of the film will be unimpressive.