Alternative uses for mall cineplex building

cvolosin on April 29, 2009 at 8:15 pm

A Theater…. Why would a newer 8 screen be closing unless the owner built a NEWER stadium facility nearby? or someone else did.. or the rent is too steep for the current operator..

Before you chop it up i AM SURE there is someone who would like to operate a cinema, and if it is turn-key it even makes it more attractive.. I may know someone interested if you can send me more info.

Thanks..
Chuck

danpetitpas on May 6, 2009 at 2:49 pm

I don’t know of any articles per se, but from reading newspaper articles over the years, I know that the typical cinderblock multiplex is basically a big box, and you can turn it into a mini mall, restaurant complex, warehouse, paintball or indoor golf facility, shooting range, legitimate theater, entertainment complex of clubs and bars, and so on. You can usually build a level floor over the sloping concrete one in the auditoriums, or level the floor by pouring additional concrete. Cinderblock is usually pretty strong, so you can knock through the walls for doorways without worrying about bringing the ceiling down.

Some examples I know of personally are the Copley Square Cinemas in the Copley Mall in Boston were turned into the upscale department store Barney’s, and the Essex St. Theater was turned into a multifloor bookstore and then office space for an Internet company. The 57 was turned into a legitimate theater on one side and a indoor golfing facility on the other side.

So a closed theater can give you plenty of options for new life.