Starplex has close ties to Cinemark (I think it’s Lee Roy Mitchell’s brother?). It’s not cooincidence that many Starplex built theatres are extremely similar to a Cinemark theatre of the same era.
The theatre was originally a 3-screen theatre, operated by West Side Valley Theatres. It was at some point turned into a 6-plex and operated by Cinemacal Enterprises which closed the theatre in August of 2003.
Cinelux Theatres later remodelled the theatre into an 8-screen theatre with stadium seating, later adding three screens for the current total of eleven.
I think I posted it on the Santa Monica 7’s page… but why do city councils think a reduction in seats will mean a reduction in traffic? All those old tired regulations about X parking spaces per seat make no sense in a day where people are coming to see a convenient showtime. If anything it’s the number of screens that dictates traffic.
With the AMC 7 and the Criterion 6 closing, the new 12-plex would be one less screen and one less convenient showtime that would get people into their cars and into a parking space.
The Drive-Ins have Technalight and the Solano in Concord has one digital screen.
Syufy MANAGES the Domes. Decisions about their maintenance and upkeep don’t necessarily come from California if you catch my drift.
The managers there at the location care very much about their theatres but there’s only so much you can do when you’re not quite a Cinemark and not quite a Century.
Unless Cinemark has done something to the place, the lobby looked just like that when I was last there in 2006.
As Christopher said above it started out as an Edwards project. I think Resort Theatres had a hand in it before they sold their Coachella Valley interests to Regal. Judging by the customization on the seats, the developer probably finished it off for themselves and got Krikorian to operate it.
I was part of the team that helped convert it over to Century. I remember going through and pulling out all of Krikorian’s stock and getting it all setup with Century products. I believe Krikorian used Movie Tunes and had music in the bathrooms and hallway. Century was inbetween revamping the “Century Radio Network” so we had some disc playing 2-3 songs on repeat from about 12am-6am as we waited for the Metro Food delivery.
The entire process of taking over somebody else’s thetre is fascinating to me. Everybody at Century wanted the theatre to BE a Century theatre by the time we opened the next day despite the fact that it was an Edwaresokrikorian Theatre, not designed in any way shape or form to conform to our practices.
Just about everything about that place had us scratching our heads and wondering… “Why would somebody build an office this small??? Why are there so damn many bathrooms??? Two different game rooms right next to each other???” Why is this hallway large enough to drive a semi through it???"
It really makes me wonder how much of a tizzy AMC went into trying to jam everything AMC into all those Kerasotes and Loews Theatres. Whenever I see chains swapping theatres it makes me smile to think of them all rolling their eyes and wondering “How the hell did they run this place like this!?!?”
I enjoy that from the photos I can see the leftover elements of Loews with the red atrium dome above the lobby and the outside brick.
I’ve never been to this particular location but I know Loews loved building these theatres with an entrance on both sides of the building. If this was like that, no wonder the lobby is so small, they closed off half of it.
Looks good though. Would love to see some good auditorium photos before the place sees any wear.
Starplex has close ties to Cinemark (I think it’s Lee Roy Mitchell’s brother?). It’s not cooincidence that many Starplex built theatres are extremely similar to a Cinemark theatre of the same era.
It’s being used for live shows as well as banquets.
They’re all over every Cinemark of a certain era, probably starting with the Hollywood concept.
Well likely their first ground up build of the multiplex era…?
An article in the San Dimas Press from March 27, 1969 says that the theatre would be opening April 2, 1969.
The theatre was originally a 3-screen theatre, operated by West Side Valley Theatres. It was at some point turned into a 6-plex and operated by Cinemacal Enterprises which closed the theatre in August of 2003.
Cinelux Theatres later remodelled the theatre into an 8-screen theatre with stadium seating, later adding three screens for the current total of eleven.
Where were UA’s offices before they were at the Greenwood Plaza?
Theatre opened in July of 1988.
Theatre opened 9/19/1986 by Cate Enterprises.
Twin = more rent. Two screens just means you have more time to play your worst two movies. Cut your losses.
At one point this was the busiest Century Theatre, even busier than the Mountain View 10/16.
To save on taxes the projection booth consisted of 10 huts on the roof, connected by catwalks. Was absolutely bizarre.
Architect was Vincent Raney
All that will be left is to make a list which theatres are still open and who is running them. The last trace of the mighty empire.
Best I can tell Essaness/Excellence took over in June of 1988.
The newspaper ad I uploaded was from 2/1/1987
Who owned this theatre? The design looks a little familiar.
I think I posted it on the Santa Monica 7’s page… but why do city councils think a reduction in seats will mean a reduction in traffic? All those old tired regulations about X parking spaces per seat make no sense in a day where people are coming to see a convenient showtime. If anything it’s the number of screens that dictates traffic.
With the AMC 7 and the Criterion 6 closing, the new 12-plex would be one less screen and one less convenient showtime that would get people into their cars and into a parking space.
The Drive-Ins have Technalight and the Solano in Concord has one digital screen.
Syufy MANAGES the Domes. Decisions about their maintenance and upkeep don’t necessarily come from California if you catch my drift.
The managers there at the location care very much about their theatres but there’s only so much you can do when you’re not quite a Cinemark and not quite a Century.
Unless Cinemark has done something to the place, the lobby looked just like that when I was last there in 2006.
As Christopher said above it started out as an Edwards project. I think Resort Theatres had a hand in it before they sold their Coachella Valley interests to Regal. Judging by the customization on the seats, the developer probably finished it off for themselves and got Krikorian to operate it.
I was part of the team that helped convert it over to Century. I remember going through and pulling out all of Krikorian’s stock and getting it all setup with Century products. I believe Krikorian used Movie Tunes and had music in the bathrooms and hallway. Century was inbetween revamping the “Century Radio Network” so we had some disc playing 2-3 songs on repeat from about 12am-6am as we waited for the Metro Food delivery.
The entire process of taking over somebody else’s thetre is fascinating to me. Everybody at Century wanted the theatre to BE a Century theatre by the time we opened the next day despite the fact that it was an Edwaresokrikorian Theatre, not designed in any way shape or form to conform to our practices.
Just about everything about that place had us scratching our heads and wondering… “Why would somebody build an office this small??? Why are there so damn many bathrooms??? Two different game rooms right next to each other???” Why is this hallway large enough to drive a semi through it???"
It really makes me wonder how much of a tizzy AMC went into trying to jam everything AMC into all those Kerasotes and Loews Theatres. Whenever I see chains swapping theatres it makes me smile to think of them all rolling their eyes and wondering “How the hell did they run this place like this!?!?”
Anyway — more photos at Cinematour.
http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/22218.html
I’d be pretty sure that all the 30-plexes were just about identical.
Signature didn’t go bankrupt, it sold to Regal.
I enjoy that from the photos I can see the leftover elements of Loews with the red atrium dome above the lobby and the outside brick.
I’ve never been to this particular location but I know Loews loved building these theatres with an entrance on both sides of the building. If this was like that, no wonder the lobby is so small, they closed off half of it.
Looks good though. Would love to see some good auditorium photos before the place sees any wear.
Address should be updated to be West Pacheco.
I went there last month — quite open. Pittsburgh Theatre Corporation is running it.
A friend just visited and 13 of the screens have been walled off, making this a 17-plex.