Downtown is once again safe for arthouse movies. From the Mayor’s office:
Mayor Annise Parker and David Cordish, Chairman of the Cordish Companies, have announced that Robert Redford’s Sundance Cinema will open in Bayou Place in the heart of Houston’s downtown theater district. Sundance Cinemas Houston will feature specialized film programming, playing the finest movies for a discerning audience culled from film festivals and the best in general release. The venue will offer drinking and dining choices, all reserved seating, digital stereo sound and presentation, filmmaker screenings and exclusive events, plus free parking for patrons and community events. In fact, community events will mark the opening celebrations when the theatre opens on the first of November, just in time for the holiday season.
“Houston is very lucky to be chosen by one of the most sought-after theater operators in the country,” said Mayor Parker. “I want to thank Ed Wulfe, chairman of Wulfe and Co., for his pro-bono efforts to help make this happen. Sundance’s investment in Houston and Bayou Place is another validation of the ever-increasing strength and vitality of our downtown. This location will provide movie options for a large underserved area. We look forward to years of world-class cinema to follow.”
[…]
Sundance Cinema will occupy space abandoned by Angelika Theater last fall. It is anticipated that improvements to the 36,000 square-foot space will cost $2.250 million.
According to Swamplot, the target date for Sundance to open is November 1, a year and two months after the Agelika closed its doors. I have no idea how the “reserved seating” thing is gonna work. Prime Property, CultureMap, and the Chron story have more.
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