The District: Multiplex Theater Proposed for Downtown

[JimInJax]

If I were Shad Kahn, I'd put this on my list for The Shipyards. It would draw tons of people, that would then hang out beofre or after and eat, drink, and shop. Just look at Downtown Disney.... they did almost the same thing. In a swamp. And it put Church Street Station out of business.

[mtraininjax]

It would suck hurting business for Sun-Ray and San Marco Theater, though. But yeah, anticipation is for when things go vertical.

Those Theaters have not really changed in 30 years. The only real thing that has changed at San Marco is a digital projector, the seats are the same, tickets have gone up, but the seats are the same, the layout in the same, and.....people like it. Sunray added the new space to the side, which is nice, and its a good place in RA to go see a movie. Tim has looked at opening up the balcony, which would be cool for 3D movies or premier nights, I'd pay more to sit there. But people go to those because they like the old feel of when they went to them as a kid. They will be fine and being in Historic Districts, I think they will remain longer than the Districts.

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.

Going to an AMC theatre is like going to Wal-Mart. Epic will become more prevalent in higher dollar areas of town. Epic is the Target of Movie chains. Phenomenal seating and amenities and much nicer people than an AMC.

[tufsu1]

Going to an AMC theatre is like going to Wal-Mart. Epic will become more prevalent in higher dollar areas of town. Epic is the Target of Movie chains. Phenomenal seating and amenities and much nicer people than an AMC.

sorry but I think you are confusing AMC with Regal.  Regal is the bottom of the barrel among movie chains (like Carnival Cruise) and AMC is mid-range (like Royal Caribbean) 

[Tacachale]

It would suck hurting business for Sun-Ray and San Marco Theater, though. But yeah, anticipation is for when things go vertical.

Those Theaters have not really changed in 30 years. The only real thing that has changed at San Marco is a digital projector, the seats are the same, tickets have gone up, but the seats are the same, the layout in the same, and.....people like it. Sunray added the new space to the side, which is nice, and its a good place in RA to go see a movie. Tim has looked at opening up the balcony, which would be cool for 3D movies or premier nights, I'd pay more to sit there. But people go to those because they like the old feel of when they went to them as a kid. They will be fine and being in Historic Districts, I think they will remain longer than the Districts.

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.

Going to an AMC theatre is like going to Wal-Mart. Epic will become more prevalent in higher dollar areas of town. Epic is the Target of Movie chains. Phenomenal seating and amenities and much nicer people than an AMC.

So basically, Sun-Ray Cinema hasn't changed, except in all the ways it has: converting from a night club back to a theater, adding all new seats, new projectors, refurbishing the whole place, adopting a new menu, and building a second theater. Most of which has only occurred in the last 5 years.

Your comment on AMC suggests you haven't been to the Regency theater since it was renovated. I haven't been to Epic, but AMC Regency blows most of the other multiplexes out of the water.

[Kerry]

The challenge for San Marco and Sun-Ray is going to be getting the movies from the distributor to even put something on screen.  If a movie is being shown at the new theater it won't be at either existing theater.

[Jax-Nole]

The challenge for San Marco and Sun-Ray is going to be getting the movies from the distributor to even put something on screen.  If a movie is being shown at the new theater it won't be at either existing theater.

That isn't how movie distribution works. Theaters just request a movie that they want to show, and negotiate a lease. Distributors don't care how close together showings are, they only care about making the most money. Having another theater nearby will not prevent them from getting the movies, but it will add more competition to have the best experience, which can be a good thing. In terms of audience, I don't think either theater will have a decreased attendance because of all of the new residential developments in the area.

[MusicMan]

Is the long term plan for this development for Rummel and Company to purchase the land from JEA?  Cause as of right now they don't even own the land, so it's hard to see them making any progress until they close the deal on the real estate.  Is it under contract?

Seems kind of important.

[Captain Zissou]

Is the long term plan for this development for Rummel and Company to purchase the land from JEA?  Cause as of right now they don't even own the land, so it's hard to see them making any progress until they close the deal on the real estate.  Is it under contract?

Seems kind of important.

Oh my gosh you're right!!!  I hope they realize that!!!!

[ProjectMaximus]

Is the long term plan for this development for Rummel and Company to purchase the land from JEA?  Cause as of right now they don't even own the land, so it's hard to see them making any progress until they close the deal on the real estate.  Is it under contract?

Seems kind of important.

Oh my gosh you're right!!!  I hope they realize that!!!!

And what if they build phase 1 before they close?? And people start moving in? That might cause the value to go up and JEA may decide to sell it for more!

Lol what an absurd question, MM. 

[MusicMan]

I forgot, every real estate deal always closes. Especially the multi-million dollar ones.

If an entity deeply intertwined with the City of Jacksonville was not involved I would not really be as concerned.

But considering the extraordinary history of false starts around here, especially with City and utility owned land,  ..............................


I hate to brake it to you, but it might be equally absurd in some folks eyes to announce a $40+ million dollar project on real estate you

don't own. I don't know Peter Rummell, maybe you guys do, but until he owns the parcel he can't so much as pitch a tent over there.

[ProjectMaximus]

I forgot, every real estate deal always closes. Especially the multi-million dollar ones.

If an entity deeply intertwined with the City of Jacksonville was not involved I would not really be as concerned.

But considering the extraordinary history of false starts around here, especially with City and utility owned land,  ..............................


I hate to brake it to you, but it might be equally absurd in some folks eyes to announce a $40+ million dollar project on real estate you

don't own. I don't know Peter Rummell, maybe you guys do, but until he owns the parcel he can't so much as pitch a tent over there.

Your original question: "is the plan for them to purchase the land" was quite absurd no matter how you look at it. Your thoughts shared in the post above are reasonable, but in no way must they follow from your question that I labeled absurd.

[MusicMan]

I was not sure. As you know, Sleiman does not own the land upon which The Landing sits.

Context is important, and this is Jacksonville. 

[Captain Zissou]

I hate to brake it to you, but it might be equally absurd in some folks eyes to announce a $40+ million dollar project on real estate you

don't own. I don't know Peter Rummell, maybe you guys do, but until he owns the parcel he can't so much as pitch a tent over there.

I hate to BREAK it to you, but they can certainly market the land and work with potential partners prior to closing on the land.  Deals like this require a ton of money to be spent and the developers need a reasonable degree of certainty that tenants and partners will step up to the plate prior to them laying down all the cash to close the sale.  They have the property under contract and have already spent considerable money.  They're just doing their due diligence before they're the ones stuck holding the bag. 

[KenFSU]

Looks like the DDRB is going to largely stay out of the way of the District, aside from some loose overall design standards:

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=548212

[Tacachale]

^Shocker.