“We are extremely busy pulling our team together, including the architects, owner’s reps, expeditors for city permits, and other essential personnel,” says UWS Cinema Center president Ira Deutchman. “And in preparation for final architectural drawings and a schedule for the phased build-out, we’re doing intensive research on the various aspects of the theaters and lobby/café that will inform the interior design of the building—including seating, ADA amenities, kitchen requirements, and projection facilities.
One of the more enjoyable ways to do the research is by touring other arthouses! We recently visited the Ambler Theater in Ambler, PA, and have plans to see the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, NY, the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, MA, the County Theater in Doylestown, PA, and the Sag Harbor Cinema in—you guessed it—Sag Harbor. The last three have all undergone recent renovations, which should help with our planning. We also traveled to Las Vegas in late March for the theater industry’s annual convention, Cinemacon. It was a jam-packed three days, talking to vendors and other arthouse cinema folks.
We expect to have our final renderings this fall, along with a good idea of the construction schedule and costs. Right now we’re budgeting approximately $20M, including contingency and five years of operating expenses.
See FAQs for more information about the building and UWSCC plans.