SFist has the scoop:
Medjool owner Gus Murad, who we know has been sitting on and contemplating a use for the historic New Mission Theater for several years, has finally made his plans known via an agenda item at tomorrow’s Historic Preservation Commission hearing. He’s planning to restore and reuse the theater as a five-screen cinema to be operated by Texas-based, beer-slinging movie chain Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas.
Woohoo! Those rule! Read on.
[Photo by Paul Lowry]
I kind of fucking love this idea, especially if they restore that marquee to its former glory.
Fingers crossed this happens!
Soooo fucking psyched for the New Mission side of this. But definitely not OK with a 95-Condo Monstrosity next door.
There will be condos next door but hopefully not 95 or them and hopefully not reaching 8 stories into the sky.
But the cinema definitely sounds very cool.
Yeah, I’d be bummed to see Giant Value go away, but the idea of a 2 or 3 story condo building there isn’t a dealbreaker.
This would be f’n awesome. If it happens, I’ll be the happiest person on earth.
This is a really, really fantastic plan for the building and it’s awesome that it would even pay homage to it’s historic use as opposed to just keeping a defunct marquee on there while filling the inside w/ a nightclub. Unlike the Vegetable I have no problem with condos in the adjacent building.
I wasn’t sure what kind of movies they show at these drafthouse places, but according to this link they do a mix of new run movies plus classics as well as food and drink events:
http://drafthouse.com/austin
Man I hope the SF politicos don’t F this up.
Not sure what the schtick is now, but they used to host Spike and Mike festivals, run day-long revues, lots of 21+ alcohol-fueled theme nights, and it all felt very communal. Everybody had fun and shouted at the screen.
Killer!
They would make a shitload of money, especially if 95 condos go up next door.
I really hope this actually happens. Alamo Drafthouse is awesome.
Yes…a little taste of home here in the hood. I loved when they’d show a Blackbelt Jones flick and you’d get a Colt45 tallboy with the price of admission.
Only really fond of the original when it was on Guadalupe. The suburban branches are….very suburban.
this. the ritz isnt all that bad. but the burb chain ones are really burby.
muahahaha reverse invasion! you california people came to invade austin, now we’re on your turf!
I’ve been to a bunch of their theaters in Portland and Seattle, and they’ve all been great. I don’t even drink but I love the comfy, kid-free atmosphere — reminds me of Oakland’s beloved Parkway theater (R.I.P.).
Parkway theater is one of the few theaters where kids were very welcome. They had a very popular families night back in the day.
awesome!!
This sounds excellent. New housing next door is great too. Woo-hoo!
I hope they keep the signage too.
Here’s hoping for weird Wednesdays.
Goodbye Sco.
Texas! Really? Douche baggery
MOAR INFOZ:
http://missionlocal.org/2012/02/developer-loves-new-mission-theater-but-dont-expect-a-fix/
Also, on faecebook, lots of pictures: https://www.facebook.com/AlamoMission?sk=wall