I’ve always found it amazing that after all these years, the north shore has not had a modern multiplex with stadium seating and all the bells and whistles. I like the Esplanade and Park & Tilford but would have thought that there would have been a SilverCity type theatre long before this.
It’s official, from today’s Toronto Star, Cineplex taking over this site. http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2013/04/25/cineplex_pulls_theatre_switcheroo_at_yonge_and_sheppard.html
I heard recently that someone was in Empress Walk and there signs there saying that Cineplex is coming in June, so I guess Cineplex really IS moving up the street from Sheppard Centre. I guess it will get the business now since it will be the only cinema in the area. Unless of course Empire moves in to Sheppard
Centre LOL
Any idea David why this one didn’t work out, yet the former Grande down the street seems to do well? They usually showed different types of films with this one getting more of the “blockbuster” type and the Cineplex getting more of the artsy type. With the Hullmark Centre, the Emerald towers and the Gibson towers all opening within the next few years, you would think that the “downtown” of the former North York could handle 20 screens in the neighbourhood. And coming soon too are all the giant towers at City Park Place along Sheppard. Quite interesting.
I remember both of those locations David. Didn’t the Thorncliffe only last a couple of years? I loved The Cinema, saw a few big ones there, but you’re right, seemed like it was definitely in the wrong location at the time. When it opened back in 1967, I remember reading that Famous Players opened it to replace the Tivoli on Richmond St. But that was much closer to Yonge St and all the shopping, restaurants etc…
Another story I’ve read says that the Empress Walk is indeed closing down, but the Cineplex at Sheppard Centre is also closing for exciting renovations. Haven’t read anything about this on the Cineplex web site and there have been no announcements under “press releases” so don’t know what’s going on with either location.
Latest rumour I’ve heard about this place is that Cineplex is moving up the street from Sheppard Centre to this location. If true, wonder why they’d leave Sheppard Centre. I actually prefer Sheppard Centre to this one, seems classier, sort of like an uptown version of their Varsity cinemas.
I’m surprised that Cineplex has held on to the Famous Players name and logo as a brand after all these years. I would have thought they’d get rid of it years ago since they have so many other brands. I think they have too many actually. I remember when FP started opening up Coliseums and Silver City, Cineplex Odeon started with the Grande brand. That didn’t last long. I think only 4 locations were ever called Grande…Sheppard Centre, Barrie, Orion Gate and Strawberry Hill.
It could be that they are just changing the name at that location, but keeping Coliseum at the others. On their web site, when you click on that location, it says “Formerly Coliseum” When I drove by that location recently, noticed that it has been completely repainted in Cineplex blue and the Famous Players moniker is finally gone, just a simple Cineplex.
Another odd one is Cineplex’s decision to change the name of the original Coliseum theatre in Mississauga to the Cineplex Cinemas Mississauga. I wonder if they are dropping that brand or just that location?
I know Jon! I love this theatre, but getting to it is awful. I would have expected a lot more for this prime location, they need one of those long escalators right up to the theatre like the Scotiabank has.
One of my all time favourites of all the “sixplexes” Famous Players built across the country in the 80s. Especially loved the lobby which was like a town setting, with it’s sky blue ceiling and each cinema with it’s different name on different marquees and signs to look like a main street somewhere. Very imaginative. Too bad it didn’t last much much longer, but soon the multiplex/curved screen/stadium seating hit and this was a goner. Although the Cineplex Odeon built around the same time also in Oakville still survives as the Encore Oakville Mews.
Can’t believe this one is closing. Especially with the hundreds of condos currently and coming soon to the neighbourhood. Too bad, one of the nicer multiplexes around town. 10 screens at nearby Sheppard Centre doesn’t seem enough for the former “downtown” North York.
Anyone know WHERE the second screen is for this theatre? They don’t mention a thing about it on their web site, but obviously with twice as many films playing there now, and overlapping start times they have more than one screen. Years ago, there was a small “screening room” on the upper level with a separate entrance, wondering if that is open again. You would think that something would be said on their web site about two screens.
I don’t think it was the FP Oakville Town Centre cinemas that prompted the closing, rather the AMC Winston Churchill 24. Both the FP and the Cineplex seemed to do quite well until that put them both out of business.
This theatre reopens tomorrow as Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, so status and name need to be changed on here.
I’ve always found it amazing that after all these years, the north shore has not had a modern multiplex with stadium seating and all the bells and whistles. I like the Esplanade and Park & Tilford but would have thought that there would have been a SilverCity type theatre long before this.
It’s official, from today’s Toronto Star, Cineplex taking over this site. http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2013/04/25/cineplex_pulls_theatre_switcheroo_at_yonge_and_sheppard.html
I heard recently that someone was in Empress Walk and there signs there saying that Cineplex is coming in June, so I guess Cineplex really IS moving up the street from Sheppard Centre. I guess it will get the business now since it will be the only cinema in the area. Unless of course Empire moves in to Sheppard Centre LOL
Any idea David why this one didn’t work out, yet the former Grande down the street seems to do well? They usually showed different types of films with this one getting more of the “blockbuster” type and the Cineplex getting more of the artsy type. With the Hullmark Centre, the Emerald towers and the Gibson towers all opening within the next few years, you would think that the “downtown” of the former North York could handle 20 screens in the neighbourhood. And coming soon too are all the giant towers at City Park Place along Sheppard. Quite interesting.
…and David I still miss it to this day. All these years later.
I remember both of those locations David. Didn’t the Thorncliffe only last a couple of years? I loved The Cinema, saw a few big ones there, but you’re right, seemed like it was definitely in the wrong location at the time. When it opened back in 1967, I remember reading that Famous Players opened it to replace the Tivoli on Richmond St. But that was much closer to Yonge St and all the shopping, restaurants etc…
Another story I’ve read says that the Empress Walk is indeed closing down, but the Cineplex at Sheppard Centre is also closing for exciting renovations. Haven’t read anything about this on the Cineplex web site and there have been no announcements under “press releases” so don’t know what’s going on with either location.
Latest rumour I’ve heard about this place is that Cineplex is moving up the street from Sheppard Centre to this location. If true, wonder why they’d leave Sheppard Centre. I actually prefer Sheppard Centre to this one, seems classier, sort of like an uptown version of their Varsity cinemas.
That’s when they close the Empress Walk in Toronto. I wonder if there are others?
I’m surprised that Cineplex has held on to the Famous Players name and logo as a brand after all these years. I would have thought they’d get rid of it years ago since they have so many other brands. I think they have too many actually. I remember when FP started opening up Coliseums and Silver City, Cineplex Odeon started with the Grande brand. That didn’t last long. I think only 4 locations were ever called Grande…Sheppard Centre, Barrie, Orion Gate and Strawberry Hill.
It could be that they are just changing the name at that location, but keeping Coliseum at the others. On their web site, when you click on that location, it says “Formerly Coliseum” When I drove by that location recently, noticed that it has been completely repainted in Cineplex blue and the Famous Players moniker is finally gone, just a simple Cineplex.
Another odd one is Cineplex’s decision to change the name of the original Coliseum theatre in Mississauga to the Cineplex Cinemas Mississauga. I wonder if they are dropping that brand or just that location?
I know what you mean David. The Paramount sounded much more impressive.
I know Jon! I love this theatre, but getting to it is awful. I would have expected a lot more for this prime location, they need one of those long escalators right up to the theatre like the Scotiabank has.
Glad to hear that Jon. I wonder how long it will take to get all the AMC logos etc changed to reflect that this IS now a Cineplex Odeon complex?
One of my all time favourites of all the “sixplexes” Famous Players built across the country in the 80s. Especially loved the lobby which was like a town setting, with it’s sky blue ceiling and each cinema with it’s different name on different marquees and signs to look like a main street somewhere. Very imaginative. Too bad it didn’t last much much longer, but soon the multiplex/curved screen/stadium seating hit and this was a goner. Although the Cineplex Odeon built around the same time also in Oakville still survives as the Encore Oakville Mews.
Unbelievable, would never have thought that, especially in that neighbourhood.
Can’t believe this one is closing. Especially with the hundreds of condos currently and coming soon to the neighbourhood. Too bad, one of the nicer multiplexes around town. 10 screens at nearby Sheppard Centre doesn’t seem enough for the former “downtown” North York.
You would think something would be mentioned on the web site of having a second screen now open.
Anyone know WHERE the second screen is for this theatre? They don’t mention a thing about it on their web site, but obviously with twice as many films playing there now, and overlapping start times they have more than one screen. Years ago, there was a small “screening room” on the upper level with a separate entrance, wondering if that is open again. You would think that something would be said on their web site about two screens.
Love this series! Glad to see it again.
I know it, it’s 3743 Bloor St W, Toronto ON
This wasn’t a triplex, it had 6 screens.
I don’t think it was the FP Oakville Town Centre cinemas that prompted the closing, rather the AMC Winston Churchill 24. Both the FP and the Cineplex seemed to do quite well until that put them both out of business.