The District: Multiplex Theater Proposed for Downtown

[Metro Jacksonville]

The District: Multiplex Theater Proposed for Downtown



Lost in the recent news of RummellMunz's planned Southbank redevelopment, The District, is a detailed explanation of the proposed project's mix of uses. Ennis Davis of Modern Cities and Transform Jax takes a closer look at what the development group headed by Peter Rummell and Michael Munz have in store for downtown Jacksonville.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2016-jul-the-district-multiplex-theater-proposed-for-downtown

[coredumped]

I like the looks of that big dock. Whenever I see these huge projects in Jax I get very skeptical they're never going to happen.

[FlaBoy]

For sure. Peter Rummell is serious about this though. He may be one of the few who can pull it off because he actually CARES about Jax and he has the experience.

[Tacachale]

This would be cool. There's not another multiplex serving the urban core for miles. It would suck hurting business for Sun-Ray and San Marco Theater, though. But yeah, anticipation is for when things go vertical.

[spuwho]

The regional manager for Regal told me that since AMC Regency did their remodel and went to reserved recliners, they are the #1 movie venue in Jacksonville in tickets sold.

Look for any new theater to emulate that approach going forward.

[sonoandrea]

This would be cool. There's not another multiplex serving the urban core for miles. It would suck hurting business for Sun-Ray and San Marco Theater, though. But yeah, anticipation is for when things go vertical.

I go to Sun-Ray for certain kinds of movies and Tinseltown or AMC for other kinds of movies (and I live right across the street from Tinseltown). I don't think a large multiplex would be a true competitor to Sun-Ray or San Marco Theater because they attract different customers and (especially Sun-Ray) show different films.

[gedo3]

One does hope they've allowed for sufficient parking for the theater.  If they're depending on what's already there for the bulk of their parking, that could be a source of frustration when there are big events downtown. 

[tufsu1]

One does hope they've allowed for sufficient parking for the theater.  If they're depending on what's already there for the bulk of their parking, that could be a source of frustration when there are big events downtown. 

umm...you do know the District is on the southbank next to the School Board building right?  Big events downtown won't affect it much.

[FlaBoy]

The regional manager for Regal told me that since AMC Regency did their remodel and went to reserved recliners, they are the #1 movie venue in Jacksonville in tickets sold.

Look for any new theater to emulate that approach going forward.

It is the best movie experience I have ever had.

[Gambit80]

The new Epik Theatre in Oakleaf has the same style as Regency has now, with reserved seating and recliners. It is a much smaller scale, but the experience is quite nice.

[Tacachale]

This would be cool. There's not another multiplex serving the urban core for miles. It would suck hurting business for Sun-Ray and San Marco Theater, though. But yeah, anticipation is for when things go vertical.

I go to Sun-Ray for certain kinds of movies and Tinseltown or AMC for other kinds of movies (and I live right across the street from Tinseltown). I don't think a large multiplex would be a true competitor to Sun-Ray or San Marco Theater because they attract different customers and (especially Sun-Ray) show different films.

My understanding is that both theaters make a the better part of their money from the big movies. A big multiplex 2 miles away would put a damper on that. Especially if the new one had food and beer like other newer theaters are doing.

One does hope they've allowed for sufficient parking for the theater.  If they're depending on what's already there for the bulk of their parking, that could be a source of frustration when there are big events downtown. 

umm...you do know the District is on the southbank next to the School Board building right?  Big events downtown won't affect it much.

Yeah, and the plan shows the theater adjacent to a 5-level parking garage. I wouldn't worry about that no matter what's happening in the rest of downtown.

The regional manager for Regal told me that since AMC Regency did their remodel and went to reserved recliners, they are the #1 movie venue in Jacksonville in tickets sold.

Look for any new theater to emulate that approach going forward.

It is the best movie experience I have ever had.

Regency is without question the best big theater experience in town. It's a good adaptation; with theater tickets declining, they're  making more money off of fewer seats. We can expect any new theater or big renovation to do similar things in the future.

[Rob68]

Great idea if it were actually in downtown proper..are there no open spaces on the northbank for this?

[Tacachale]

^None that RummellMunz own.

[KenFSU]

Love the idea of a 10-screen multiplex within the District.

And I love that this development anchors the Skyway with a true destination.

Can you imagine how useful and popular the Skyway would be if it was anchored by the District to the south, Brooklyn to the west, and Everbank/Veterans Memorial/Baseball Grounds/Amphitheater to the east.

Plus, you've got the new regional transportation center and the Lofts at Lavilla breathing new life into it.

Sounds like the type of system that would promote genuine infill between these anchors.

[jaxjaguar]

^Woah, woah woah... let's not get carried away here.