Photo by Enniferj via Wikimedia Commons
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While a previous report indicated the space was going to turn into a retail store, Mikey Trafton and Tim League — the owners of the forthcoming Metro Cinema — confirmed otherwise at Wednesday evening’s Community Board 7 Business & Consumer Issues Committee meeting.
Tim League is the founder of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema chain — which was supposed to replace the Metro Theater in 2013, though he says they were unable to move forward as the construction costs were too high at the time.
“We’ve come up with a new plan to add multiple screens and add a little bit more of an upscale dining experience,” said League, who added that they’ll probably have some menu items from Alamo, but also “full entrees and a really nice wine list.”
League says there will also be a small bar at the front of the house, and while it will be open for walk-in guests, it’s primarily for people to “gather before they see their films.”
Metro Cinema is expected to show both newly released movies and classic films.
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Trafton indicated that they may also rent out the space for private events for people who want to use the giant screens to play video games, sing karaoke, or give business presentations, among other potential uses.
Hours are expected to be about 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., though League said they may occasionally stay open later when there’s a newly released blockbuster movie.
League said the total capacity will be about 176 people. He was unable to provide an estimated opening date at this time.
I hope the renovate it and keep the Art Deco styling — NYC needs to preserve the past before it becomes all soulless glass and steel.
Fantastic news!!
Yay! Terrific news. We need some artistic life up here on the UWS!
This is wonderful news. I hope it all goes through as planned there have been a lot of false starts. It would be wonderful if they restore the building and its Art Deco charm.
Hopefully local pizza places, the nearbyl falafel/shawarma place and sushi joints that survived Covid closures and UWS sequestering will also benefit from pre- & post-movie food runs if the “new & improved” Metro Cinema (not to be confused with the famous Art Deco movie house identically named that was constructed in Bombay by MGM in 1938 and is still going strong) is a tad overzealous with menu prices as everyone is these days. The other Metro Cinema is such a landmark in present-day Mumbai, it is used to identify the entire popular residential neighborhood.
Not pleased that the Metro, once an affordable movie experience, has joined the ranks of the upper-upper class amusements, to offer a movie plus “drinks and entrees.”
What ever happened to just going to the movies?
This is disgusting. This is what has happened to too much of the city I used to feel comfortable living in. No longer affordable. A bike store, the Renaissance, went down, and in its place is one with bikes for over $300.
“Disgusting”?! A tad hyperbolic when describing something that is pretty routine, and merely a “take it or leave it” option (you can still attend a movie without the frills). And yeah, while we all lament inflation, your shock at a $300 bike (which by the way would be considered a pretty cheap bike in the 1980s) suggests being out of touch for the last 3 or 4 decades. Unless that was a typo and you’re missing an extra 0. Otherwise, wow — regards to Eisenhower!
Some guys just come out once in a long while.
So at a time when movie theaters and restaurants are closing, they’re going to renovate an old deteriorated building to have both of them combined. Good luck with that.
I will be first in line when it reopens. There are many, many more of my frame of mind. Enjoy your “Netflix and chill.”
See you in line, John.
Have fun. But don’t hold your breath until it opens.
This same story has been surfacing repeatedly for the last 10 years. I’ll believe it when something actually opens in this space.
Why are companies allowed to leave buildings vacant for 16 years with no penalty? They take it as a tax loss, so they don’t care if they lease it. If your building is on the market for years with no buyers, you’re asking too much money and have to come down on the price.
7 months since this article was published and there is still no sign of any life at that location……