After being closed in 2023, one of San Francisco’s largest movie theaters is finally up and running. Now known as Apple Cinemas Van Ness IMAX, the historical theater is open to the public once again out of the Don Lee Building on the corner of Van Ness Avenue and O’Farrell Street.
The city of San Francisco has a rich history regarding the film industry with many century-old theaters still operating such as the Roxie, Castro, and New Mission theaters. However, recently several local theaters have closed down or been remodeled into other modern businesses. With the reopening of the Van Ness theater, this will give locals the opportunity, once more, to experience the allure that local theaters truly encapsulate.
“Since corporations have expanded so much within the past five years, I think it’s going to get tougher for small businesses to survive,” said Rachel Gerke ’27.
The 14-screen theater was most recently occupied by the large Korean cinema chain CGV Cinemas. This was short lived, only lasting about two years. Before that, the theater was under the business of AMC from 1998 to 2019.
Now being occupied by the Massachusetts based theater company, Apple Cinemas, the theater welcomed locals on July 10 with movies such as the “Superman” reboot, “28 Years Later,” and “Jurassic World: Rebirth.”
The Don Lee Building, built in 1921, was originally used as an automobile showroom for Cadillac before AMC converted it into a multiplex in 1998. After being open for more than two decades, the theater closed due to construction disruptions and declining conditions according to Hoodline News.
CGV Cinemas invested heavily in 4DX technology when they took over the theater in 2021.
This plan collapsed and became a financial disaster, eventually leading to the closure of the theater, as they spent an immense amount of money on renovations and paid a $75.2 million lease guarantee.
The Apple Cinemas Director of Operations, Jessica Robitaille, noted, “I think it’s a really fantastic space that we have to work with and we have big plans for it,” according to the Chronicle. The theater will now be a luxury experience and will eventually include a bar, restaurant, and recliner seats.
History teacher Cory Nelson said, “I truly want local theaters to survive because they support independent artists, independent directors, independent movies. Those stories are really meaningful… Historical race or gender or other independent movies need the space where they can flourish and get their stories out and push society into a more inclusive place.”
The reopening of the theater is a significant event as many theaters around the world have struggled to stay in business in post-pandemic life. With so many streaming platforms nowadays, theaters are losing their charm and many people prefer to watch movies in the comfort of their homes.
Bus travel in the Van Ness area has significantly improved as a result of the Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit project, which was a San Francisco transportation project that was completed in 2022. This will majorly help the business and allow more people to visit the theater without the hassle or concern for transportation.
“The city spent a lot of money refurbishing Van Ness Avenue and it is beautiful. The buses run more smoothly in that area, which means more people can get there and see movies in the state-of-the-art theater,” said Film Studies and AP Environmental Sciences teacher Michael O’Brien.
He continued, “Film is so near and dear to my heart that any time people can watch that magic, they should, regardless of how they watch it.”
As the city welcomes back this historical theater to the community, the shared-experience of watching a new movie in the cushioned, leather chairs will once again flourish.
