AMC Entertainment Holdings announced late last month that it has reached lease agreement terms with Hollywood real-estate company Caruso to occupy the Grove Theatre and Americana at Brand Theatre. The Los Angeles and Glendale-based movie houses are expected to reopen later this month. The theaters, both formerly Pacific Theatres locations, have been closed for more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Decurion Corp., parent company of Pacific Theaters and ArcLight Hollywood, ceased operations in March 2020 and announced, along with bankruptcy filings in April this year, that it would not reopen the locations.
Financial terms of the new AMC lease with Caruso were not disclosed.“The Grove and the Americana at Brand theatres are among the most successful theaters in the greater Los Angeles area, and we look forward to delivering the high-quality experience for guests visiting these theaters that AMC is known for in the Los Angeles area and nationally,” AMC Chief Executive Adam Aron said in a statement. “AMC is proud to be expanding in the movie-making capital of the world. And we are eager to get started as soon as possible, showcasing for our guests at these two theaters the exciting lineup of movies scheduled throughout the rest of 2021.”Over the coming months, AMC, the largest exhibitor in the U.S., plans to renovate three auditoriums and introduce three large format screens at each location. Upon reopening, guests at both locations can also expect enhanced food and beverage offerings as well as Imax, Dolby Cinema and Prime viewing experiences, which feature amenities such as lounging chairs and enhanced sound.
“We are excited to partner with AMC – the best management team in the business with a laser focus on the guest experience. AMC has the largest footprint of theaters in the world, giving them global authority on innovation,” Rick Caruso, chief executive of Caruso, said in a statement. “As we look ahead to reopening, we are confident that we will continue to see audiences at our movie theaters creating cherished memories for years to come. Los Angeles, welcome back to the movies!” AMC remains in active discussions with other property owners regarding additional currently closed locations, according to a company statement.