I wonder if a fitness center would be a cool place in that building, given the glass windows leading to the street?
Check out downtown KC's Mainstreet theater...I've never been, but have seen pics and read reviews...Looks amazing...I think we'll be getting something like that here, only with less screens...Ergo more of an art house feel...Though programming obviously defines that...
With teh latest technology, great address and digs and maybe dining options (while you watch teh movie) similar to KC's DT theater...I can't wait...
With teh latest technology, great address and digs and maybe dining options (while you watch teh movie) similar to KC's DT theater...I can't wait...
I have been the AMC Mainstreet theater here in KC numerous times. 6 theaters. It is really nice. It is attached to the Power and Light District so it gets that uppity crowd mostly. Seems to be mainly used by people who live down here... haven't seen any "urban youth" there. It features normal "suburban" large screens and decent sized theaters, but all have reserved seating, "butt-kicker" subs attached to each set-of-seats. (I think) 1/2 of the auditoriums are exclusively 21-over in-theater dining (I haven't done that yet). Beer / bar attached to the lobby. Only movies I have seen there are mainstream fliques. http://www.amctheatres.com/Mainstreet/RobbyD wrote:Check out downtown KC's Mainstreet theater...I've never been, but have seen pics and read reviews...Looks amazing...I think we'll be getting something like that here, only with less screens...Ergo more of an art house feel...Though programming obviously defines that...
With teh latest technology, great address and digs and maybe dining options (while you watch teh movie) similar to KC's DT theater...I can't wait...
Actually, it already had one back in 2008-2009 on the southwest corner. I know because people would gather there for the MCT-16X even though it was NOT a prescribed route-stop (c'mon people!) I don't know whether it closed because of a lack of business or if that was around the time Pyramid(?) was supposed to start construction on those condos...jaburr2424 wrote:I wonder if a fitness center would be a cool place in that building, given the glass windows leading to the street?
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You don't remember what the fitness center was called do you? I would be curious to see what the reason was. The glass front makes it sound like it would be cool, just curious is all.
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It was a Gold's location.jaburr2424 wrote:You don't remember what the fitness center was called do you? I would be curious to see what the reason was. The glass front makes it sound like it would be cool, just curious is all.
BPV came to mind the moment I read your post. Which gets me to a question or two, Could a mainstream six or eight plex chain theater in addition to the current proposal with time and continued growth, especially residential, downtown be supported also? Would this be a better use of BPV's entertainment space - still close to Wash Ave but a more controlled environment?tbspqr wrote:I have been the AMC Mainstreet theater here in KC numerous times. 6 theaters. It is really nice. It is attached to the Power and Light District so it gets that uppity crowd mostly. Seems to be mainly used by people who live down here... haven't seen any "urban youth" there. It features normal "suburban" large screens and decent sized theaters, but all have reserved seating, "butt-kicker" subs attached to each set-of-seats. (I think) 1/2 of the auditoriums are exclusively 21-over in-theater dining (I haven't done that yet). Beer / bar attached to the lobby. Only movies I have seen there are mainstream fliques. http://www.amctheatres.com/Mainstreet/RobbyD wrote:Check out downtown KC's Mainstreet theater...I've never been, but have seen pics and read reviews...Looks amazing...I think we'll be getting something like that here, only with less screens...Ergo more of an art house feel...Though programming obviously defines that...
With teh latest technology, great address and digs and maybe dining options (while you watch teh movie) similar to KC's DT theater...I can't wait...
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rawest wrote:I hate to be debbie downer, but wasn't there a theater in Union Station a decade or so back? That one failed.... what will make this one different? I know downtown experienced growth but there are still less than 3,000 people living in the neighborhood. Is there enough demand for this sort of thing?
I think it's only reasonable (and common-sense logical) to think that the established real estate company investing hundreds of millions of dollars into the building has done enough market demographic analysis testing to have a good idea of whether or not starting a movie theater there would be successful or not. Also: to expect that the most successful and innovative movie theater operators in the City will know what kind of theater to run in Downtown, a market they've apparently considered since first mentioned as potentially operating a movie theater Downtown for a renovated Jefferson Arms back in 2007.drdrew wrote:I am a bit worried that there won't be the demand necessary for these theaters - the Chase is a 10 minute drive (or 25 minute metrolink) away. The only reassuring thing is that St Louis cinemas will be operating these, the chase, and the moolah, so they'll have an incentive to divvy up their films in a way that encourages folks to go to each theater.
Have some faith that the people doing these big things kind of know what they're doing. And have faith in Saint Louis being about more than just opportunities for things to fail.
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I know that I am a page late on this, but it was my understanding that this was going to be 21 and up due to it being basically a bar that also doubles as a theater. More like the Moolah set-up than the Chase. That would eliminate a whole lot of hassle for the owners.
At least that is how I read it. The Moolah has a functioning bar that doesnt really require you to be seeing a movie. If this is similar in that it has a bar and lounge area in addition to the three theaters, this makes sense to me.
This isn't geared towards families. I don't see how that would make this a bad thing. If they find this model successful more power to them. Let Wehrenberg step up and put a regular theater in BPV.
Edit: Not sure whether or not Wehrenberg is bankrupt. Maybe AMC then.
At least that is how I read it. The Moolah has a functioning bar that doesnt really require you to be seeing a movie. If this is similar in that it has a bar and lounge area in addition to the three theaters, this makes sense to me.
This isn't geared towards families. I don't see how that would make this a bad thing. If they find this model successful more power to them. Let Wehrenberg step up and put a regular theater in BPV.
Edit: Not sure whether or not Wehrenberg is bankrupt. Maybe AMC then.
Question: Is this theater going in the Laurel or in 600 Washington? Its confusing me -- different articles make it seem like it's in different places. If it's in the Laurel, I'm more accepting of the Moolah-model. For 600 Wash., I still like the more mainstream-y family-friendly approach.
^ The theater is going in the Mercantile Exchange, which is the retail complex located at the base of 600 Washington.
^I can confirm that. The P-D stated the Laurel in one article and the 600 building in another. I emailed Tim Logan for the straight story and he confirmed the Mecantile Exchange building, which is the converted garage space on the south side of Wash Ave. He said his buddy, the film critic, who reported that the northside of Washington as the new theater's destination, knows more about movies than commerical development. Also the name changes throughout the redevelopment process have made things confusing.
Personally, I'm squarely for a theater that caters to greater Downtown residents and adults and couples on business or vacation...I agree the Laurel would have a 'cooler' vibe, but the Mercantile Exchange is very hip in its own way and will definitley work IMO...I bet the views down Washington are better from this building as well...Obviously, the format is up to the wishes of the owners and what their business model says is feasible...IMO the results of a suburban theater in (or VERY near) the CBD have already been seen...
Personally, I'm squarely for a theater that caters to greater Downtown residents and adults and couples on business or vacation...I agree the Laurel would have a 'cooler' vibe, but the Mercantile Exchange is very hip in its own way and will definitley work IMO...I bet the views down Washington are better from this building as well...Obviously, the format is up to the wishes of the owners and what their business model says is feasible...IMO the results of a suburban theater in (or VERY near) the CBD have already been seen...
I'm guessing this is a recent rendering.
http://downtownstlbiz.blogspot.com/
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Courtesy of Downtown St. Louis Business Blog
http://downtownstlbiz.blogspot.com/
Courtesy of Downtown St. Louis Business Blog
^That really does look nice...I'm assuming the street scene is depicting Washington Ave after the fire alarms are pulled in the US Bank building and the hotel 
I'm kidding...The major businesses in the pic are already greenlighted...That's exciting...I also like that the wayfarer signage made the artist's view...There are complaints about the program (normal), but what we have is good and now can be tweeked and improved...
Let's hope more residents find their way Downtown...I read somewhere that 2% of a metro desire intown, city living...That gives the residential forecasts a lot of credibility as additional housing options and basic amenities come online...No reason the resident population can't double again this decade...
And that should hopefully result in more decent retail...My brother used to live in Charleston and visiting the downtown area there is a treat...Many stores and eats and drinks (I bought my niece a couple of things at Baby Gap there!)...It's hard to not see Wash Ave developing more diverse shopping options down the line...
I'm kidding...The major businesses in the pic are already greenlighted...That's exciting...I also like that the wayfarer signage made the artist's view...There are complaints about the program (normal), but what we have is good and now can be tweeked and improved...Let's hope more residents find their way Downtown...I read somewhere that 2% of a metro desire intown, city living...That gives the residential forecasts a lot of credibility as additional housing options and basic amenities come online...No reason the resident population can't double again this decade...
And that should hopefully result in more decent retail...My brother used to live in Charleston and visiting the downtown area there is a treat...Many stores and eats and drinks (I bought my niece a couple of things at Baby Gap there!)...It's hard to not see Wash Ave developing more diverse shopping options down the line...
^Charleston, SC (Savannah is incredible too)...
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They still have the elevated lanes in the background... tear down that wall!goat314 wrote:I'm guessing this is a recent rendering.
http://downtownstlbiz.blogspot.com/
Courtesy of Downtown St. Louis Business Blog
If that rendering meets reality then this will be a good outcome considering the situation which brought about the decline of the original project.
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It has come to my attention that they are in negotiations with a sushi restaurant and wine bar in addition to the previously announced Blues Museum, Pi, and Theatre.
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who will be filling these places up with consistent patronage?
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I would love to see a Beppa di Beppos go into one of the spots.
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i'm happy to see the place fill up, but i wonder how many wine bars and sushi places downtown can maintain (on the same street even). i know that the common wisdom is that retail can't succeed with the current population, but i don't see how pitting similar establishments against one another ad nauseum is going to help. i mean, yogurt places are spreading like the plague these days and downtown doesn't have one yet... maybe a better idea to hold out/try and lure something different?moorlander wrote:It has come to my attention that they are in negotiations with a sushi restaurant and wine bar in addition to the previously announced Blues Museum, Pi, and Theatre.
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It's survival of the fittest. It's true that downtown does already have Mizu, Wasabi, and drunken fish. I don't know of any wine bars downtown.
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Copia?moorlander wrote:It's survival of the fittest. It's true that downtown does already have Mizu, Wasabi, and drunken fish. I don't know of any wine bars downtown.