The classic Pacific Palisades Bay Theatre is coming back.
Designed in 1948 with a marquee by S. Charles Lee, the Bay Theatre closed in 1978 and soon was converted into a hardware store. However, Los Angeles real estate developer Rick Caruso announced today that exhibitor Cinépolis USA will be bringing the Bay Theatre back as a luxury cinema house in Caruso’s new shopping-lifestyle center Palisades Village on Swathmore Avenue, opening next summer.
The newly redesigned Bay Theatre by Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas will feature five screening rooms each with approximately 40-60 luxury leather recliner seats, reserved seating and call buttons for full food and bar service. Lee’s marquee sign will even be resurrected.
“We are thrilled to bring back the long-cherished Bay Theatre with Cinépolis USA,” Caruso, founder and CEO of Caruso Affiliated, said in a statement. “Cinépolis continues to elevate the moviegoing experience. Its intimate, comfortable setting will make it a perfect fit in our project and become, once again, an anchor within the community.”
Said Adrian Mijares Elizondo, CEO of Cinépolis USA: “We are inspired by the nostalgia of our new location and the community that Palisades Village will create, and are honored to contribute to this valued connection between family and friends. Cinépolis USA’s unique and entertaining luxury moviegoing experience is something we take much pride in, and we are thrilled to be able to introduce our personal touch to a new group of movie enthusiasts.”
Caruso’s Palisades Village has been in the works for the past three years, and the revitalization is designed to respect and honor Pacific Palisades’ history. Bay Theatre by Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas will be joined by Vintage Grocers and the return of a community staple, Bentons Sports Shop.
The Bay Theatre is the second movie theater under construction in Los Angeles, with the Alamo Drafthouse set to open its doors next year at the Bloc downtown shopping district.
By Anthony D’Alessandro