ArcLight Beach Cities
831 S. Nash Street,
El Segundo,
CA
90245
831 S. Nash Street,
El Segundo,
CA
90245
4 people
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Daily Breeze article includes a rendering of what the finished complex will look like
https://www.dailybreeze.com/2023/11/13/cinemawest-beach-cities-to-replace-shuttered-arclight-theater-in-el-segundo/
The toast of the South Bay? Cinepolis Inglewood has other plans! ðŸ¤ðŸ¤
The two brands operated more than 300 screens in California, including the coveted Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. In a blow for California moviegoers — and those in Los Angeles in particular — the ArcLight Cinemas and Pacific Theatres are closing all of their locations for good after seeing their business decimated by the pandemic.
ArcLight’s stable includes the prized Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. The Dome, built in 1963, is the crown jewel of the small theater complex constructed in more recent years.
ArcLight Hollywood is a bastion for both first-run movies and independent titles and, at one time, was one of the first L.A. cinemas to offer high-end food. It has also been a favorite site place to stage premieres of indie titles, and is beloved by many cinephiles.
ArcLight’s locations in Hollywood and elsewhere, including Sherman Oaks, are operated by Pacific Theatres. The Pacific side of the aisle includes such popular locations as the Grove in West Hollywood.
“This was not the outcome anyone wanted, but despite a huge effort that exhausted all potential options, the company does not have a viable way forward,” said a statement issued by Pacific Theatres, which is owned by the Decurion Corporation.
No ArcLight or Pacific location has reopened since the pandemic began. On Monday afternoon, word quickly spread across Hollywood that they will remain dark for good.
It wasn’t immediately clear who the pool of potential buyers might include for the more high-profile locations, should they be up for sale, such as the ArcLight Hollywood complex.
Last year, Netflix closed a deal to operate the Egyptian, another landmark Hollywood theater that’s not far from the Cinerama Dome. Among the mega chains, Cinemark only has two L.A. locations (one in Baldwin Hills and the other in Playa Vista).
“To all the Pacific and ArcLight employees who have devoted their professional lives to making our theaters the very best places in the world to see movies: we are grateful for your service and your dedication to our customers,” the statement continued. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve you.”
The National Association of Theatre Owners has warned all along that smaller and regional independent chains, such as Pacific and ArcLight, might never recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
“To our guests and members of the film industry who have made going to the movies such a magical experience over the years: our deepest thanks,” read the statement issued by Pacific Theaters. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve you.”
November 15th, 1996 grand opening ad as Beach Cities Cinema in the photo section.
Precisely, Scott!
Chris — what do you mean by down vs. up sloping?
Is down where you enter at the top of the stadium and step down? And up where you enter at the bottom and walk up?
Street View needs to be upgraded – the shot is from it’s days as a Pacific.
I was there a couple of days ago. Nice remodel.
P.S. Pacific & ArcLight are the same company. Their parent company (Decurion Corporation) simply converted it from Pacific to ArcLight, so the line about ArcLight “taking it over” is not quite accurate.
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING transformation from Pacific to ArcLight. Auditorium layout completely changed from downward sloping stadium seating to upward sloping stadium seating. Screens are bigger. Sound is upgraded. Projection is DP…but they do have film projectors on hand.
This theatre is going to be the toast of the South Bay!
The theater is closed for conversion to Arclight.
http://tinyurl.com/2d9q447
Here is a January 2010 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ybwbz2m
Here is an interior photo taken today:
http://tinyurl.com/lk2ouu
Here is a June 2009 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/n6d6y5
Here is an April 2009 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/c4gj7j
Here is a photo taken earlier today:
http://tinyurl.com/ce3lf3
Here is a photo taken today:
http://tinyurl.com/62k7n9
Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/4xgt9f
Here are some photos taken today:
http://tinyurl.com/6ndvsl
http://tinyurl.com/57vlxq
There was a shooting in this theater a few nights ago. Two El Segundo police officers were wounded, along with a bystander. It was the first such shooting of an El Segundo officer since 1957. The suspect was killed in the exchange of fire.
I interviewed for a job over at TRW when I moved to LA in 1984. I remember driving slowly down Rosecrans looking for the TRW complex. Most of Rosecrans between Sepulveda and Aviation was vacant land. Hard to picture that now when you see this theater and all the rest of the retail on that stretch.