Lincoln Plaza Cinema
31 Montana Avenue,
Tacoma,
WA
98409
31 Montana Avenue,
Tacoma,
WA
98409
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Closed on October 5, 2000.
Demolished.
Architectural sketches were by The Architectural Group in Mobile, Alabama or TAG
This opened on May 20th, 1988. Grand opening ad posted.
They were not identical but very similar in design as were all GCC houses of that era. I believe that the architects were the Cambridge Seven Group out of Boston, MA.
From examining the archive photo here in the cinema was in operation, it seems to strongly resemble the Gateway 8 on Federal Way. Are the two identical?
GCC built 4 similar buildings in the area in the mid – late 1980’s. Lincoln Plaza in Tacoma, Gateway in Federal Way, Kitsap Mall in Silverdale, and Renton Village in Renton. I was the opening projectionist for Kitsap and Renton Village. All except the Gateway were a bit hard to find. I can’t speak as to the rent but I know that 20+ year leases were common and GCC came to regret them.
Yes I believe this is one of those late 80’s buildings. It had sloped floors. It was hard to find because they had to put up the marquee on busy 38th street so people could be directed to the theater.
This theater did not have stadium seating. There are none of the older style (William Reisman design) GCC houses remaining in Washington State.
Was this equipped with stadium seating? It looks like it could have been a fairly decent venue. Wonder if it would have fared better if it had been in a location which greater street visibility? Are their any vintage GCC, circa 1965-1975, venues still around?
It is becoming a gym. The (Tacoma) News Tribune ran a big story on Jan. 31. The theater has been gutted.
Here’s a link to the story:
View link
So, it looks like the place has been gutted. An addition of some sort is being built next to it. I think the building’s days at a movie theater are done.
So, Jason, what’s the plan for the building? Movies?
This past March. My partner and I aqquired all of the assets of the Former General Cinema Theater. We had been looking to aqquire the booth and front of the house since it’s closing in 2000. The original owners however held out hope that some one reopen the theater (and the landlord would get the rent(Almost 800K a year) that General Cinema was paying them) after selling the real estate the new owners held out for a while, and finally gave in with the announcement of Centurys new build at the Tacoma Mall. It was an amazing transformation from when I first looked at the theater back in late 2000 to what I ended up buying in 2006. Origanlly all of the booth and support equipment were present as well as the concession and front of the house. The only thing that was missing were some amps and speakers that were stollen before the front of the theater were fortified. When I was finnaly able to buy the equipment all of the support, concession and remander of the sound were gone. Along with every square inch of copper wire. Yes thief’s got all of the wire from the building.( I am sure that the Tacoma Police Dept. Would be glad to know that a Grand Larceny of this magnitude was happening just a block and half from there headquarters) However to my luck The Projectors platters, dimmers and automation units were still there intact. Guess the burglers couldn’t figure out how to pawn this type of equipment. For my business partner it was bitter sweet as he had been GM for this theater for several years and worked for General Cinema for 10 yrs. The only origianl GCC Theaters in the Seattle Area left open are Kitsap 8 Renton 8, The Gateway 8 and the Pacific Place. A far cry form the dominance that General once had in this market. Allways looking for closed theaters with assets present for sale or lease. By the way the Equipment has now found a home in a closed 8 Plex in Pensacola Florida. I bet General Cinema never that there original purchase would ever go so far.
There has been some activity happening around here — lights on, back door open. I heard rumors that someone is going to be using the space, but I don’t know if it’s as a theater. Fingers crossed.
It was indeed operated by General Cinemas Corp.
Lincoln Plaza 8 is available for lease or sale. This theater had THX certified auditoriums. I’d sure like to see this theater reopened. Someone is taking good care of the place now. The grounds are meticulously trimmed/cleaned and the building is kept free of graffitti/vandalism.
Corey:
You’re thinking of the Tacoma Mall Twin theater that was demolished two years ago. Krispy Kreme replaced that theater.
This 8 plex Lincoln Plaza has been closed for several years.