Disappointed with lack of nice/new movie theater near CC. Plans in the future? (Philadelphia: 2014, neighborhood)

[TARS]

I'm a newer resident of Philly, and live with my wife in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood. We enjoy it quite a bit. On Saturday's, we usually like to talk a walk and grab a bite to eat somewhere new and maybe catch a film at one of the Ritz theaters. However, when it comes to blockbusters and bigger films in general, you either have to to go to the ghetto Columbus blvd one or hike over to University City. Even then, they're not the greatest theaters. The NJ burbs have some nice AMCs, but who wants to go over the bridge when we can walk everywhere here?

I lived in Washington, DC prior to Philly and they have a multitude of AMC/Regal theaters across the city and within the city limits. Arlington just recently got one of the new AMC redo's with the comfy reclining chairs.

So, I am disappointed at this lack of higher-end movie theaters within the city. I was thinking that a nice AMC would fit great in the near "Market East" development area since they're talking about adding at city Target and whatnot (or potentially).

What do you guys think? Is there word on the street that the city could get one?

[ionlyused59]

I live in Graduate Hospital too. I agree about the lack of good movie theaters. University City is much better than the one on Columbus, at least. I've never been to an AMC but I've been to nicer theaters around previous stomping grounds and would love something like that in the city.

I haven't heard about a movie theater coming to Market East. Until then, my husband and I are going to try out NJ. Glad you're liking Philly and the neighborhood.

[TARS]

AMC's of late have been making a big turn-around and providing excellent amenities. However, what Philly could really use is an Alamo Draft House. First-Rate movies and they serve craft beer and good food. It would be ideal for Philly. I don't understand how something like this hasn't happened here yet. This is such a dense city. I guess I would chalk it up to the ghettoness of the city and the potential for riff-raff ruining the good things.

[RightonWalnut]

My girlfriend and I usually just go to the one at 40th and Walnut in University City... it's the nicest one around at the moment.

They are supposed to be working on opening an iPic Theater at 19th and Walnut in the old Boyd Theater. They are supposed to be high end movie theaters that serve food and beer. It looks like they usually have 6-8 screens.

PlanPhilly | iPic expects to move forward soon on renovation of the Boyd

[BPP1999]

Good post. You really would think they'd stick a theater at the base of the next new residential tower that gets built on Market Street. There are multiple theaters like this in NYC if I am not mistaken. It seems like the demand is certainly there in CC.

[TARS]

I thought the iPic thing fell through. Although I don't relish in the thought of paying 24 a ticket, I think something like this is better than nothing. I would love it if a more "hip" place came in like Alamo drafthouse, though. I think that Philly would eat it up.

Why are people in this city so against anything changing? The place has been sitting vacant for 13 years...that part of Chestnut is in SERIOUS need of some TLC (actually, most of Chestnut needs TLC). What is the big deal?

[phillies2011]

Originally Posted by TARS

I thought the iPic thing fell through. Although I don't relish in the thought of paying 24 a ticket, I think something like this is better than nothing. I would love it if a more "hip" place came in like Alamo drafthouse, though. I think that Philly would eat it up.

Why are people in this city so against anything changing? The place has been sitting vacant for 13 years...that part of Chestnut is in SERIOUS need of some TLC (actually, most of Chestnut needs TLC). What is the big deal?

Have you ever seen the inside of the Boyd? If you knock that down nothing like that will ever be built again in this city. Ever. The Boyd also is basically the last chance to preserve a grand old movie theater of that style as the rest are already gone.

It's not that people are opposed to change, they're opposed to knocking down an architectural treasure. There are some who would rather look at an eye sore for years and years all for the small chance in the future it will be restored and be better than 1000 ipics. We're called optimists.

There are a million other places in center city to build a movie theater.

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by TARS

Why are people in this city so against anything changing? The place has been sitting vacant for 13 years...that part of Chestnut is in SERIOUS need of some TLC (actually, most of Chestnut needs TLC). What is the big deal?

Improvements on Chestnut are slowly but surely happening, keep in mind that change happens in Philly at a glaciers pace. Well at least they used to, development has perked up quite a bit in the past 10-15 years. Pearl Properties has recently purchased the Boyd theater which is a very good thing.

As far as movie theaters? Alot of the older classic suburbs have main street type theaters(Media--Bryn Mawr-Glenside-Wayne etc etc. And of course King of Prussia has the gargantuan IMAX if you are looking for a more modern diversion.

Knowing the history and the economic/demographic layout of the city of Philadelphia helps explain why there is not a modern 16 theater venue in Center City. The momentum in Center City is starting to gain strength and it wouldnt shock me if that nice modern theater gets there within the next few years.

[gwillyfromphilly]

Originally Posted by RightonWalnut

My girlfriend and I usually just go to the one at 40th and Walnut in University City... it's the nicest one around at the moment.

They are supposed to be working on opening an iPic Theater at 19th and Walnut in the old Boyd Theater. They are supposed to be high end movie theaters that serve food and beer. It looks like they usually have 6-8 screens.

PlanPhilly | iPic expects to move forward soon on renovation of the Boyd

I wouldn't mind seeing a movie theatre at the Gallery.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by phillies2011

Have you ever seen the inside of the Boyd? If you knock that down nothing like that will ever be built again in this city. Ever. The Boyd also is basically the last chance to preserve a grand old movie theater of that style as the rest are already gone.

It's not that people are opposed to change, they're opposed to knocking down an architectural treasure. There are some who would rather look at an eye sore for years and years all for the small chance in the future it will be restored and be better than 1000 ipics. We're called optimists.

There are a million other places in center city to build a movie theater.

AFAIK, the project is still moving forward:
PlanPhilly | iPic expects to move forward soon on renovation of the Boyd

As far as the "optimists" are concerned, money talks and BS walks. The optimists have long since crossed over into Quixotism. The renovations necessary to restore the building to its original splendor are beyond cost-prohibitive. Gutting a historical landmark doesn't warm the cockles of my heart, but I'll still pick it eight days out of seven when the alternative is letting the building sit vacant, continuing to rot, while waiting for the tens of millions of optimist dollars that will never come.

At least the original facade will be restored.