Cineplex pretty much uses the Station Square now as a “move over” from nearby, 10 screen Silvercity Metropolis; in other words, it’s 17 screens but in two buildings. Strange thing is, Station Square is still all 35mm and Metropolis is all digital now. Time will tell if this cinema stays open…
Update: The IMAX 15/70 film system (screen #19) will be replaced with the IMAX Digital system in Spring 2012. Screen #1 will be converted to Ultra AVX, meaning that both AVX & IMAX will be in the same complex. Currently, screens 1-18 are all digital.
Empire Oakridge 3 will be closing on January 2nd, 2012 as the mall is redeveloping. A Crate & Barrel store will be going in its place. Very sad news as the theater certainly has its history.
I had a talk with good ‘ol GM Pierre at the Odeon recently, showed him this post and he confirmed everything you said. My previous source was a younger GM who told me of the incorrect split…so my apologies on that! And big thanks for all of your memories of working there; that’s really amazing stuff! As I’m also a lot younger, I only have faint memories of the Counting House and the Haida, but I loved those cinemas. The Haida had a small balcony that I loved to “sneak up” into sometimes.
(I’d also like to add to your post that Cineplex Odeon had the Towne until the early 90’s, then Landmark re-opened it as The Vic in ‘95)
As is now, I’m still trying to figure out how the heck they had two screens from the original screen. That twinning must have been a disaster resulting in two narrow, “bowling alley” type theatres. Currently #5 (formerly #1) is known as “The Big House” and people still love it.
On another note, the Odeon is now all digital projection. All of the film equipment has been removed, save for the Century/Prevost in #5 (although I haven’t been in the booth to see if the rest of it is still intact).
Capitol 6 across the street is now 100% digital and all film equipment has been removed.
Rumors abound that Cineplex will switch this theater entirely over to digital projection in the summer or early fall. I’m just hoping they enlarge the smaller auds (#1 and #2, still to this day the former orchestra of the original huge auditorium) somehow.
First theater in Canada with digital projection (Star Wars: Episode II in 2002). This location to be all digital this summer, and the IMAX theater will be converted to Ultra AVX digital projection.
“One screen was the first to use digital projections in Canada.” Silvercity Riverport had the first DLP installation (they ran Star Wars: Episode II on Cinema #5). I think Coquitlam’s came a few years later.
Mind you, this location will probably be all-digital by year end.
I just noticed this too…I DO know that in the US, AMC has converted a lot of their 24-30 screen locations into Fork & Screen complexes. This just looks like they have closed an entire wing of cinemas off. Very strange.
The Cineplex Odeon Station Square closed in early 2002. It had five large screens and was right across from the Famous Players theater. Last I was there the space was being used as an art/print shop, although that could be gone by now.
More than likely they will just stick with Riverport as it already has 18 screens plus one IMAX.
Shame, as Richmond Centre 6 was a nice cinema. All 6 screens were pretty big, Dolby Digital and had good seating capacities. It was also one of the Famous Players builds where every cinema had a name (“Avalon”, “Bijou”, “Rialto” etc). The other two still open in Vancouver are Empire’s Esplanade 6 and Cineplex/FP Station Square 7.
Theaters #4 and #6 now feature Real D 3D projection capabilities, although for the most part 2D features are booked into these screens. The 35mm equipment has been removed.
Cinema #5, the largest auditorium (and former balcony of the original cinema) had Real 3D capabilities for about a year, but is now back to 35mm only. I have been told this may change soon as the entire complex may go digital next year, and #5 will be the first to be converted back.
“Bladerunner” is also incorrect about the twinning of the cinema. Originally the balcony and orchestra were divided making this a twin cinema for a few years, then the orchestra was divided making this a triple.
Would anyone in the nearby area be able to go to the cinema and photograph it head to toe? I’m hoping Edward can do some photos but it would be nice to have someone else with a SLR or high quality camera to do some photos. (I would gladly volunteer but I’m stuck up in Western Canada!)
I am fascinated by this cinema. It really is part of history and like Mark, I would love to see shots of every auditorium, lobby, auditorium hallways, booths and so forth.
Also, I really wanted to visit the Lougheed Triple (closed in 2000, I think?) and from what I could tell they were three huge cinemas, especially #1 which seated nearly 800 people.
I apologize for the error in my last posting. I just find it REALLY strange. On my visit there in 2008, I could not find any evidence that a third screen was ever there. Perhaps it was added to another section of the building but was not permitted to for one reason or another? Very, very odd.
Curious how this cinema is doing now, and if they put in new seats as they had promised. It really was a dive the last time I visited.
2 certainly did have 70mm capability at one point and might have acted as a move-over from, but most of the action was in #7 which still has the THX “wall” and all outstanding sound quality, just not actual certification anymore.
Sean may have been getting this confused with the former Lougheed Mall three-plex, which had a large screen in the 700-seat region. This was also a cinema run by the small “A Theater Near You” chain.
Here are a set of photos I took while visiting in December. Just thinking of that center aisle, horrible common width screen and mono sound just gives me a headache. New seats are being installed in early December, and hopefully this is the start of many improvements.
Here is a small set of photos, including one of the nine micro-cinemas. Honestly, with all the AMC’s and Scotiabanks and Silvercities now in Toronto and with all of the “exclusive engagements” they open, I’m surprised this place is still open even as an art house cinema.
Here is a link to a Tyee article circa 2005 when the cinema closed. It has some rather interesting comments as well, even from one of the former managers who didn’t appear to like the place very much.
Update: Complex is all digital now, and one screen has been renovated to the Ultra AVX system.
Cineplex pretty much uses the Station Square now as a “move over” from nearby, 10 screen Silvercity Metropolis; in other words, it’s 17 screens but in two buildings. Strange thing is, Station Square is still all 35mm and Metropolis is all digital now. Time will tell if this cinema stays open…
Update: The IMAX 15/70 film system (screen #19) will be replaced with the IMAX Digital system in Spring 2012. Screen #1 will be converted to Ultra AVX, meaning that both AVX & IMAX will be in the same complex. Currently, screens 1-18 are all digital.
Empire Oakridge 3 will be closing on January 2nd, 2012 as the mall is redeveloping. A Crate & Barrel store will be going in its place. Very sad news as the theater certainly has its history.
Blade Runner,
I had a talk with good ‘ol GM Pierre at the Odeon recently, showed him this post and he confirmed everything you said. My previous source was a younger GM who told me of the incorrect split…so my apologies on that! And big thanks for all of your memories of working there; that’s really amazing stuff! As I’m also a lot younger, I only have faint memories of the Counting House and the Haida, but I loved those cinemas. The Haida had a small balcony that I loved to “sneak up” into sometimes.
(I’d also like to add to your post that Cineplex Odeon had the Towne until the early 90’s, then Landmark re-opened it as The Vic in ‘95)
As is now, I’m still trying to figure out how the heck they had two screens from the original screen. That twinning must have been a disaster resulting in two narrow, “bowling alley” type theatres. Currently #5 (formerly #1) is known as “The Big House” and people still love it.
On another note, the Odeon is now all digital projection. All of the film equipment has been removed, save for the Century/Prevost in #5 (although I haven’t been in the booth to see if the rest of it is still intact).
Capitol 6 across the street is now 100% digital and all film equipment has been removed.
Sad to report that the Hollywood closed on Sunday, May 29th with a showing of CINEMA PARADISO and a Buster Keaton short.
Article: http://bit.ly/j8965Q
Rumors abound that Cineplex will switch this theater entirely over to digital projection in the summer or early fall. I’m just hoping they enlarge the smaller auds (#1 and #2, still to this day the former orchestra of the original huge auditorium) somehow.
First theater in Canada with digital projection (Star Wars: Episode II in 2002). This location to be all digital this summer, and the IMAX theater will be converted to Ultra AVX digital projection.
“One screen was the first to use digital projections in Canada.” Silvercity Riverport had the first DLP installation (they ran Star Wars: Episode II on Cinema #5). I think Coquitlam’s came a few years later.
Mind you, this location will probably be all-digital by year end.
I just noticed this too…I DO know that in the US, AMC has converted a lot of their 24-30 screen locations into Fork & Screen complexes. This just looks like they have closed an entire wing of cinemas off. Very strange.
The Cineplex Odeon Station Square closed in early 2002. It had five large screens and was right across from the Famous Players theater. Last I was there the space was being used as an art/print shop, although that could be gone by now.
More than likely they will just stick with Riverport as it already has 18 screens plus one IMAX.
Shame, as Richmond Centre 6 was a nice cinema. All 6 screens were pretty big, Dolby Digital and had good seating capacities. It was also one of the Famous Players builds where every cinema had a name (“Avalon”, “Bijou”, “Rialto” etc). The other two still open in Vancouver are Empire’s Esplanade 6 and Cineplex/FP Station Square 7.
Status for this theater should be closed. I don’t know the date, but I believe it shuttered in February.
The theater ceased operations today, to be replaced by an expanded food court.
The six screen multiplex that opened in 1990, following this location, closed today. It is to be replaced with a new food court.
Theaters #4 and #6 now feature Real D 3D projection capabilities, although for the most part 2D features are booked into these screens. The 35mm equipment has been removed.
Cinema #5, the largest auditorium (and former balcony of the original cinema) had Real 3D capabilities for about a year, but is now back to 35mm only. I have been told this may change soon as the entire complex may go digital next year, and #5 will be the first to be converted back.
“Bladerunner” is also incorrect about the twinning of the cinema. Originally the balcony and orchestra were divided making this a twin cinema for a few years, then the orchestra was divided making this a triple.
Would anyone in the nearby area be able to go to the cinema and photograph it head to toe? I’m hoping Edward can do some photos but it would be nice to have someone else with a SLR or high quality camera to do some photos. (I would gladly volunteer but I’m stuck up in Western Canada!)
I am fascinated by this cinema. It really is part of history and like Mark, I would love to see shots of every auditorium, lobby, auditorium hallways, booths and so forth.
Also, I really wanted to visit the Lougheed Triple (closed in 2000, I think?) and from what I could tell they were three huge cinemas, especially #1 which seated nearly 800 people.
Hey Sean,
I apologize for the error in my last posting. I just find it REALLY strange. On my visit there in 2008, I could not find any evidence that a third screen was ever there. Perhaps it was added to another section of the building but was not permitted to for one reason or another? Very, very odd.
Curious how this cinema is doing now, and if they put in new seats as they had promised. It really was a dive the last time I visited.
Do you have a seat count/screen size/pictures for the auditoriums?
Here is a link to some photos of the Empire Esplanade 6 (that name just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?) including auditoriums and seat counts.
2 certainly did have 70mm capability at one point and might have acted as a move-over from, but most of the action was in #7 which still has the THX “wall” and all outstanding sound quality, just not actual certification anymore.
Sean may have been getting this confused with the former Lougheed Mall three-plex, which had a large screen in the 700-seat region. This was also a cinema run by the small “A Theater Near You” chain.
Here are a set of photos I took while visiting in December. Just thinking of that center aisle, horrible common width screen and mono sound just gives me a headache. New seats are being installed in early December, and hopefully this is the start of many improvements.
Here is a small set of photos, including one of the nine micro-cinemas. Honestly, with all the AMC’s and Scotiabanks and Silvercities now in Toronto and with all of the “exclusive engagements” they open, I’m surprised this place is still open even as an art house cinema.
Here is a link to a Tyee article circa 2005 when the cinema closed. It has some rather interesting comments as well, even from one of the former managers who didn’t appear to like the place very much.