All three theatres they chose are excellent modern megaplexes, but I wish they would have tried thinking outside the box and created a more interesting list. There is quite a varied and colorful landscape of theatres in Orange County, offering more than “located in a popular shopping destination”, “top grossing”, and “featuring (insert stock list of modern amenities)”.
While semi open for a few years now, the Yost is celebrating it’s official reopening this weekend, after a $2.7 mil remodel/upgrade. The venue is now focused on live concerts and use as a club, with a full bar and restaurant in place.
This was initially slated to be an Edwards project. After Edwards fell in to bankruptcy, Krikorian was brought in to open/manage the theatre. I’ve been told conflicting stories as to whether Krikorian was intended to be a temporary operator or not; however, that obviously ended up being the case, as Krikorian was replaced in short order.
Opened on 12/16/83
Initially operated jointly by SocCal Cinemas and Edwards; Edwards later took over full operation. The theatre is currently operated by the Parth Theatre Group.
When Mann took the theatre over for a second time, there was a significant refurbishment. It was in near pristine condition during it’s final years.
After closing, the theatre remained fully equipped and in “turn key” condition. When I went on a speculative walk-through, it literally looked like the theatre was ready to reopen on a moment’s notice (there were even unused office supplies neatly organized in the office). Unfortunately, the lease and track record just didn’t lend themselves to procuring a new operator. Had there been more space for support areas and a kitchen, I think it might have been a prime candidate for a “fork and screen” conversion, but that will forever be confined to speculation.
For some reason, the map above is showing this theatre in the wrong area. The Pierside Pavilion was on Pacific Coast Highway, across the street from the ocean.
The Pierside Pavilion 6 was opened on May 24, 19991 by Mann Theatres. Located directly across the street from Huntington Beach’s famous pier and main beach, on the second level of a shopping plaza, the theatre always struggled to compete with the city’s outdoor draws and thriving downtown nightlife. Sold to Edwards in the early 90’s, the theatre would return to the Mann fold after Edward’s bankruptcy, before finishing out it’s days under the operation of SoCal Cinemas/The Movie Experience. The Pierside Pavilion (renamed the Pierside Surf City 6 under SoCal) closed in March of 2008 and sat vacant until December 2010, when the theatre was converted in to 33,049 square feet of office and restaurant space.
Constructed in an compact “L” shape, two small auditoriums were accessed directly off the shallow two story lobby’s left side, while the remaining four auditoriums were located down a hallway on the right. The facility featured two THX certified auditoriums (#4 & #6) and 70 mm capabilities in #6. Auditorium six was also built with pseudo stadium seating (the rest of the complex was traditional slope).
Nice eye King Biscuits! The exterior poster pylons (removed in 97') were used for coming attractions; so, those two would have been pending at the time. But we did have them and I even built up the James & the Giant Peach print.
Today (5/31/11), they will begin removing the 50’s era marquee and box office as part of the ongoing renovation; thus, restoring the theatre’s original look.
Concerning the whole Mann issue; it is my understanding Mann’s last contracted day of operation was 5/19/11. However, there was an extention made to 5/26/11, to aid in the transition process. After completing the change over (the reason they are currently closed), the theatre will reopen under a new owner and operator (as movielover23 mentioned “Chinese Theatre LLC”). I believe the theatre’s new website will soon be chinesetheatres.com.
As controversial as the new owners and the various rumors might be, I’m holding out hope this change will mark a rebirth. That the new owners/operators will initiate some efforts which will ultimately lead to more people entering the theatre to watch a movie, rather than treating it as just a courtyard sightseeing stop/photo op. It’s a beautiful historic theatre, with an unsurpassed pedigree, but it’s true value is found in being a living cinema treasure, not as a marker of what once was.
As i pointed out on Grauman’s CT page, the rumor involves the Chinese 6 being converted to a nightclub, not Grauman’s. The only alleged changes to Grauman’s, thus far, have been expanded food service and moving towards mixed use; which suggests the theatre would have it’s stage back.
If you examine the rumors (especially Hollywood Elsewhere and it’s “inside source”) the alleged dramatic changes are centered more on the Chinese 6 than Grauman’s.
If the Chinese 6 were to be convereted to a nightclub style venue, would anyone really care? It’s not like that annex holds the same historical/cultural significance.
As for Grauman’s, the only changes that have been rumored, to a significant extent, are transitioning to “multi use”; which would suggest the need for a stage, thus restoring an original feature of the theatre. About the only questonable alteration suggested, thus far, involves removable seating.
While I’m just as concerned as the next guy, especially considering the track records of the parties involved, I could see the potential for some of these alleged changes being beneficial. Say, Grauman’s continues to screen movies and adds the option of hosting live events once again. Perhaps, the kitchen/bar adds a luxury service to the theatre. And, the former 6 supplements the venue with post event options and extra drawing power via alternative entertainment choices. Yes, that involves a great deal of speculation and wishful thinking on my part, but, at this point, it’s no more speculative than saying “this is the end”.
This theatre’s construction was a pain in the butt for me. At the time, I was a manager at the AMC Fullerton 10 (the expansion to 20 hadn’t taken place yet) and AMC’s western division office wanted someone to keep tabs on Century’s latest venture in the market (they voiced a concern that it might be a threat to their business). So, every week I would have to go out to the construction site to compile an update. They wanted pictures, hand drawn maps/diagrams, and a detailed summary of what I saw. The big problem was that this was conducted during the project’s earliest stages; i.e. I was basically providing surveillance of a dirt lot. The end result being reports like “ten foot pile of soil now located on western corner of property (see photo 3)”. When the theatre structure actually started to go up, they stopped having me go out to the site. I never quite understood why they lost interest in monitoring the competition at this more relevant juncture.
Despite early concerns, the Stadium Promenade never had much of an impact on AMC’s area theatres. Fullerton served an entirely different market, the Block would later carve out it’s own highly successful niche, and Mainplace folded more as the result of the Block opening.
Great that councilwoman Gardner made the effort to keep everyone informed and the Port in the news; not so great that she throws in the “count me out” and “I’d just as soon watch it on my tv” comments, in reference to food service being added.
I would have to agree with Scott. Between the project taking almost a year and the number of adjoining units they’ve closed for the expansion (i.e. all of the former second floor foodcourt), I’m thinking they are basically building a new theatre on the site.
Today, 1/12/11, was the last day of operations before the year long remodel/expansion begins. There were no advertisements for the remodel in place, nor did management have any idea as to who the operator would be for the “new” theatre (they appeared very downbeat when asked). I basically walked away suspecting it wouldn’t be Edwards/REG.
Fortunately, not only wasn’t there significant visible damage, I also didn’t note any musty/damp smells whe I stopped by this weekend. So, here is hoping there won’t be any mold or mildew issues down the road.
Don S hit the nail on the head when he mentioned, “Personally, I had a home theater, and I ended up selling it. One of the main reasons: no communal experience. I love the energy that a crowd makes when they’re really into a movie.”
The industry critics and those fortelling “the end is near” have always failed to consider the communal aspect of movie going. While there are certainly a host of desirable viewing options available, none can truly replace the experience of watching a film with a large audience. While one might enjoy watching a film in the comfort and privacy of their own home (as we all do), there remains a different experience to be had through going to a cinema. Just as people continue to go to live concerts, sporting events, etc., they will continue to go to the movies. Attendance and habits might fluctuate, the industry will unquestionably change, but, as long as humans remain a social creature, there will be a desire to share experiences with others.
As for his 30+ age observation. Every day, I see those 30+ year olds taking their families to the movies. Thus, introducing a new generation to the magic of movie theatres.
On July 23, 2010, the Woodbridge will begin offering digital projection in two auditoriums (#2 & #3), with 3-D capabilities. By year’s end, all five auditoriums will be converted to digital.
This center was planned before the economy collapsed. They had wagered, not only that the area would continue to boom, but that there would be a demand for more screens in the immediate future. Obviously, it was a bet they lost.
SoCal/The Movie Experience was originally supposed to operate the theatre, but they dropped out shortly before the development was completed (perhaps, they saw the proverbial writting on the wall). Krikorian stepped in to manage the theatre (i.e. they didn’t build or own it).
While I’m sure someone else will take over management of the theatre, the entire complex is folding up at an alarming rate. The Dos Lagos center simply suffers from poor timing; a situation which doesn’t show any signs of improving in the near future.
All three theatres they chose are excellent modern megaplexes, but I wish they would have tried thinking outside the box and created a more interesting list. There is quite a varied and colorful landscape of theatres in Orange County, offering more than “located in a popular shopping destination”, “top grossing”, and “featuring (insert stock list of modern amenities)”.
While semi open for a few years now, the Yost is celebrating it’s official reopening this weekend, after a $2.7 mil remodel/upgrade. The venue is now focused on live concerts and use as a club, with a full bar and restaurant in place.
This was initially slated to be an Edwards project. After Edwards fell in to bankruptcy, Krikorian was brought in to open/manage the theatre. I’ve been told conflicting stories as to whether Krikorian was intended to be a temporary operator or not; however, that obviously ended up being the case, as Krikorian was replaced in short order.
Opened on 12/16/83 Initially operated jointly by SocCal Cinemas and Edwards; Edwards later took over full operation. The theatre is currently operated by the Parth Theatre Group.
When Mann took the theatre over for a second time, there was a significant refurbishment. It was in near pristine condition during it’s final years.
After closing, the theatre remained fully equipped and in “turn key” condition. When I went on a speculative walk-through, it literally looked like the theatre was ready to reopen on a moment’s notice (there were even unused office supplies neatly organized in the office). Unfortunately, the lease and track record just didn’t lend themselves to procuring a new operator. Had there been more space for support areas and a kitchen, I think it might have been a prime candidate for a “fork and screen” conversion, but that will forever be confined to speculation.
Miscellaneous trivia: The South Coast opened as National General Corp’s 263rd theatre.
Today, the site is a well maintained grass lot; popular for office breaks and as a walkway to/from the Orange County Performing Arts Center.
For some reason, the map above is showing this theatre in the wrong area. The Pierside Pavilion was on Pacific Coast Highway, across the street from the ocean.
The picture was taken from the stairs that lead to auditorium #6. The lobby is located on the opposite end of the hall, to the right.
The Pierside Pavilion 6 was opened on May 24, 19991 by Mann Theatres. Located directly across the street from Huntington Beach’s famous pier and main beach, on the second level of a shopping plaza, the theatre always struggled to compete with the city’s outdoor draws and thriving downtown nightlife. Sold to Edwards in the early 90’s, the theatre would return to the Mann fold after Edward’s bankruptcy, before finishing out it’s days under the operation of SoCal Cinemas/The Movie Experience. The Pierside Pavilion (renamed the Pierside Surf City 6 under SoCal) closed in March of 2008 and sat vacant until December 2010, when the theatre was converted in to 33,049 square feet of office and restaurant space.
Constructed in an compact “L” shape, two small auditoriums were accessed directly off the shallow two story lobby’s left side, while the remaining four auditoriums were located down a hallway on the right. The facility featured two THX certified auditoriums (#4 & #6) and 70 mm capabilities in #6. Auditorium six was also built with pseudo stadium seating (the rest of the complex was traditional slope).
Nice eye King Biscuits! The exterior poster pylons (removed in 97') were used for coming attractions; so, those two would have been pending at the time. But we did have them and I even built up the James & the Giant Peach print.
Today (5/31/11), they will begin removing the 50’s era marquee and box office as part of the ongoing renovation; thus, restoring the theatre’s original look.
Concerning the whole Mann issue; it is my understanding Mann’s last contracted day of operation was 5/19/11. However, there was an extention made to 5/26/11, to aid in the transition process. After completing the change over (the reason they are currently closed), the theatre will reopen under a new owner and operator (as movielover23 mentioned “Chinese Theatre LLC”). I believe the theatre’s new website will soon be chinesetheatres.com.
As controversial as the new owners and the various rumors might be, I’m holding out hope this change will mark a rebirth. That the new owners/operators will initiate some efforts which will ultimately lead to more people entering the theatre to watch a movie, rather than treating it as just a courtyard sightseeing stop/photo op. It’s a beautiful historic theatre, with an unsurpassed pedigree, but it’s true value is found in being a living cinema treasure, not as a marker of what once was.
Proved to be a short run; the Brookhurst has been closed once again.
As i pointed out on Grauman’s CT page, the rumor involves the Chinese 6 being converted to a nightclub, not Grauman’s. The only alleged changes to Grauman’s, thus far, have been expanded food service and moving towards mixed use; which suggests the theatre would have it’s stage back.
If you examine the rumors (especially Hollywood Elsewhere and it’s “inside source”) the alleged dramatic changes are centered more on the Chinese 6 than Grauman’s.
If the Chinese 6 were to be convereted to a nightclub style venue, would anyone really care? It’s not like that annex holds the same historical/cultural significance.
As for Grauman’s, the only changes that have been rumored, to a significant extent, are transitioning to “multi use”; which would suggest the need for a stage, thus restoring an original feature of the theatre. About the only questonable alteration suggested, thus far, involves removable seating.
While I’m just as concerned as the next guy, especially considering the track records of the parties involved, I could see the potential for some of these alleged changes being beneficial. Say, Grauman’s continues to screen movies and adds the option of hosting live events once again. Perhaps, the kitchen/bar adds a luxury service to the theatre. And, the former 6 supplements the venue with post event options and extra drawing power via alternative entertainment choices. Yes, that involves a great deal of speculation and wishful thinking on my part, but, at this point, it’s no more speculative than saying “this is the end”.
This theatre’s construction was a pain in the butt for me. At the time, I was a manager at the AMC Fullerton 10 (the expansion to 20 hadn’t taken place yet) and AMC’s western division office wanted someone to keep tabs on Century’s latest venture in the market (they voiced a concern that it might be a threat to their business). So, every week I would have to go out to the construction site to compile an update. They wanted pictures, hand drawn maps/diagrams, and a detailed summary of what I saw. The big problem was that this was conducted during the project’s earliest stages; i.e. I was basically providing surveillance of a dirt lot. The end result being reports like “ten foot pile of soil now located on western corner of property (see photo 3)”. When the theatre structure actually started to go up, they stopped having me go out to the site. I never quite understood why they lost interest in monitoring the competition at this more relevant juncture.
Despite early concerns, the Stadium Promenade never had much of an impact on AMC’s area theatres. Fullerton served an entirely different market, the Block would later carve out it’s own highly successful niche, and Mainplace folded more as the result of the Block opening.
Great that councilwoman Gardner made the effort to keep everyone informed and the Port in the news; not so great that she throws in the “count me out” and “I’d just as soon watch it on my tv” comments, in reference to food service being added.
I would have to agree with Scott. Between the project taking almost a year and the number of adjoining units they’ve closed for the expansion (i.e. all of the former second floor foodcourt), I’m thinking they are basically building a new theatre on the site.
Today, 1/12/11, was the last day of operations before the year long remodel/expansion begins. There were no advertisements for the remodel in place, nor did management have any idea as to who the operator would be for the “new” theatre (they appeared very downbeat when asked). I basically walked away suspecting it wouldn’t be Edwards/REG.
You could try Cy Young Industries. They are widely used for seating renovations in the theatre industry.
Fortunately, not only wasn’t there significant visible damage, I also didn’t note any musty/damp smells whe I stopped by this weekend. So, here is hoping there won’t be any mold or mildew issues down the road.
Don S hit the nail on the head when he mentioned, “Personally, I had a home theater, and I ended up selling it. One of the main reasons: no communal experience. I love the energy that a crowd makes when they’re really into a movie.”
The industry critics and those fortelling “the end is near” have always failed to consider the communal aspect of movie going. While there are certainly a host of desirable viewing options available, none can truly replace the experience of watching a film with a large audience. While one might enjoy watching a film in the comfort and privacy of their own home (as we all do), there remains a different experience to be had through going to a cinema. Just as people continue to go to live concerts, sporting events, etc., they will continue to go to the movies. Attendance and habits might fluctuate, the industry will unquestionably change, but, as long as humans remain a social creature, there will be a desire to share experiences with others.
As for his 30+ age observation. Every day, I see those 30+ year olds taking their families to the movies. Thus, introducing a new generation to the magic of movie theatres.
On July 23, 2010, the Woodbridge will begin offering digital projection in two auditoriums (#2 & #3), with 3-D capabilities. By year’s end, all five auditoriums will be converted to digital.
This center was planned before the economy collapsed. They had wagered, not only that the area would continue to boom, but that there would be a demand for more screens in the immediate future. Obviously, it was a bet they lost.
SoCal/The Movie Experience was originally supposed to operate the theatre, but they dropped out shortly before the development was completed (perhaps, they saw the proverbial writting on the wall). Krikorian stepped in to manage the theatre (i.e. they didn’t build or own it).
While I’m sure someone else will take over management of the theatre, the entire complex is folding up at an alarming rate. The Dos Lagos center simply suffers from poor timing; a situation which doesn’t show any signs of improving in the near future.