The Cinéma Paradis in Montreal’s east end has been boarded up for a decade, collecting a mix of spray paint and urban grime while the borough strives to revitalize the area.
Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough Mayor Pierre Lessard-Blais says the CEO of Cinémas Guzzo, Vincenzo Guzzo, can no longer ignore the theatre his father bought in 1974, which launched the family empire.
What will be proposed for the derelict building and when is still anybody’s guess, but there are plenty of ideas floating around the community.
The local merchants' association wants more commercial space for Hochelaga Street as the strip becomes increasingly vibrant, while a tenants' advocacy group says the old building should be replaced by much-needed social housing.
As for the mayor, he envisions a residential complex with commercial space on the ground floor, but no matter what, he said the first step is for Guzzo to submit a plan.
“We are very open to having proposals from him,” said the mayor. “The citizens are tired. They just want a good project here. And I think it could be something good for the neighbourhood.”
Just this year, eight new businesses have opened on the street, according to Lessard-Blais, who attributes that economic resurgence to borough initiatives.
While the area shows signs of returning to its former glory, he said the building is “pulling the neighbourhood down.”
No matter what, it’s up to the building owner — not the borough — to come up with a plan, he said.
Also uploaded the 1975 grand opening ad.
The Hi-Way 39 reopened with 4 screens on June 15th, 1979. Grand opening ads posted.
Grand opening ad posted.
Reopened with three screens on June 22nd, 1979. No grand opening ad found.
Expanded to 6 screens on May 26th, 1978. Grand opening ads posted.
Already has a water leak https://www.cjme.com/2019/10/15/569747/
Grand opening ad:
Landmark Cinemas Regina opening Fri, Oct 4, 2019 – A5 · The Leader-Post (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada) · Newspapers.com
LA Times listings ended in July 1980. Must have been a big failure.
The Duarte cinema opened on November 2nd, 1979 with “Moonraker” and “The Spy who Loved Me”. Grand opening ad posted.
Rotting away: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/cinema-paradis-mercier-hochelaga-maisonneuve-1.5367299
The Cinéma Paradis in Montreal’s east end has been boarded up for a decade, collecting a mix of spray paint and urban grime while the borough strives to revitalize the area.
Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough Mayor Pierre Lessard-Blais says the CEO of Cinémas Guzzo, Vincenzo Guzzo, can no longer ignore the theatre his father bought in 1974, which launched the family empire.
What will be proposed for the derelict building and when is still anybody’s guess, but there are plenty of ideas floating around the community.
The local merchants' association wants more commercial space for Hochelaga Street as the strip becomes increasingly vibrant, while a tenants' advocacy group says the old building should be replaced by much-needed social housing.
As for the mayor, he envisions a residential complex with commercial space on the ground floor, but no matter what, he said the first step is for Guzzo to submit a plan.
“We are very open to having proposals from him,” said the mayor. “The citizens are tired. They just want a good project here. And I think it could be something good for the neighbourhood.”
Just this year, eight new businesses have opened on the street, according to Lessard-Blais, who attributes that economic resurgence to borough initiatives.
While the area shows signs of returning to its former glory, he said the building is “pulling the neighbourhood down.”
No matter what, it’s up to the building owner — not the borough — to come up with a plan, he said.
This reopened as the Hollywood Pacific Triplex on May 26th, 1978. Grand opening ad posted.
This opened on October 11th, 1978. No grand opening ad appeared.
1977 and 1992 grand opening ads posted.
Opened by General Cinemas and taken over by Edwards in 1977
Still open at the time of its post. Grand opening ads from April 1st, 1977 from the Register and the LA Times posted.
The Fallbrook reopened as a twin cinema on April 9th, 1976. Another ad posted.
This reopened as a triplex cinema on August 12th, 1977.
It became a twin cinema on February 18th, 1977. Grand opening ad posted.
Grand opening ad:
AMC Hawthorne 6 opening Wed, Feb 23, 1977 – 28 · News-Pilot (San Pedro, California) · Newspapers.com
July 14th, 1965 and September 3rd, 1976 grand opening ads posted
Reopening as Mitchell Brothers Santa Ana theatre
Mitchell Brothers Santa Ana theatre opening Fri, Sep 3, 1976 – Page 36 · Santa Ana Register (Santa Ana, California) · Newspapers.com
Reopened as a twin cinema on December 22nd, 1976. No grand opening ad found.
June 23rd, 1976 grand opening ad posted.
Expanded to 3 screens on February 20th, 1976.
June 16th, 1976 grand opening ad posted.