Curzon Chelsea Cinema

Billy on November 7, 2023 at 9:33 am

Still closed as of November 2023, but the development seems to be approaching completion and Cadogan’s website suggests a 2024 reopening date.

CF100 on July 2, 2018 at 12:00 pm

The main planning applications relating to the redevelopment are:

PP/15/04338 – “Partial demolition and redevelopment of 196-222 King’s Road with a two storey basement excavation, to provide cinema floor space at basement and ground floor level; (etc…)”.

PP/16/04793 – “New plans reflecting proposed changes including the demolition and rebuild of Friese Green House, alterations to the King’s Road elevation, additional basement excavation and provision of additional photovoltaic panels”.

Of particular note here is the document titled “KING’S ROAD HISTORIC BUILDING REPORT JUNE 2015” in the 2015 application, which provides a (somewhat “potted”) history of the site. The original 1930s cinema plans—very beautifully drawn—are included on PDF pp28-34. Alas, the text on these is not quite resolved in this file, being throughly obliterated by aggressive JPEG compression.

Plans for the proposed cinema can be seen in the 2016 application at (basement) levels B2 (Auditoria 2 and 3 – “indicative layout” only) and B1 (Auditorium 1), the larger Auditorum 1 being situated above the two smaller auditoria, as is clearly shown in “PROPOSED SECTION AA.”

The architectural practice responsible for these plans is Paul Davis + Partners.

A scale is conveniently provided, and based on this, I estimate Auditorium 1 to be ~27m deep by ~21m wide, or almost 90ft.x70ft., equating to slightly under 6000sq.ft. in area.

The proposed main auditorium is therefore quite generously proportioned, being about the same size as the “existing” auditorium, if its sidewalls were moved in to form a rectangular auditorium. (The “existing” fanned out to about 105ft. wide at the rear.)

HowardBHaas: Estimating from the demolition plans (2016 application, but they’re probably identical in the 2015 application) — the screen width was probably 40-45ft.

More pure nuggets of tedium may be extracted and summarised here if/when I review more of the planning documents!

SethLewis on March 31, 2018 at 10:38 am

Great atmosphere last night…free drinks and £5 show of Blow-Up This will be missed

thomastace on March 27, 2018 at 7:05 am

This cinema is closing on March 31st. It will reopen as a 3 screen cinema in 2022 with approx 600 seats across the screens. From the plans it looks like the front of the building is being saved but with all being being rebuilt. Very sad news but with a hint of optimism.

Zappomatic on February 23, 2017 at 11:40 am

Noticed the cinema is advertising itself as “London’s biggest screen outside the West End”. Not sure by what metric though as it’s eclipsed in both screen size and seating capacity by Cineworld at the O2. Biggest screen in Central London outside the Wet End? Biggest Curzon screen outside the West End?

Bruce Campbell on January 3, 2016 at 12:12 pm

Not necessarily saved… Parisite Property Developers have been given permission to demolish the building and put up flats etc in its place with a proviso for anunderground cinema of sorts. Cadogan Estates successfully appealed and once again big business has been allowed to overrule what little is left of our Kings Road heritage.

Robbie25646 on November 1, 2014 at 4:33 am

I am so pleased that this cinema has been saved. I was assistant manager here way back in the mid nineteen-seventies and loved the place. I was known then as Robin Brewer.

Max the Movie Guy on October 14, 2014 at 1:09 pm

This cinema is at risk of being closed down on 21st October. https://www.facebook.com/KeepCurzonontheKingsRoad

woody on February 1, 2010 at 8:49 am

fab shot on a sunny day in january 2010 just as an immaculate 1960’s riley one point five zoomed past
View link

Jeremy Buck on May 26, 2009 at 5:52 am

The Compton organ has been installed in the theatre part of Watford Town Hall, Hertforshire (known as “The Colosseum”) for many years.It was restored to playable condition in 2008, but sees little regular use.

kevinp on September 6, 2008 at 12:34 pm

here’s a fabulous bunch of pictures

View link

AdoraKiaOra on May 3, 2007 at 6:11 am

Great place to see a movie with a great appreciative audience. Made many visits here in the 80s

SethLewis on January 14, 2006 at 1:16 am

Almost a gold standard of a single screen cinema, I used to live around the corner from here. All that’s missing is popcorn which Artificial Eye doesn’t seem to think would fit with the art crowd. Would also love to see some more flexible programming here ie some weekend revival series. Have seen a fair amount of pictures here in 15 years in London including Short Cuts, Billy Elliott, Celebrity, Crouching Tiger Flying Dragon, Sweet and Lowdown, Love and Death on Long Island