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Highland Park Village Regent’s Theatre Closing?

Posted on January 27th, 2009 5:40pm by Candy Evans
Filed under Changing market trends in Real Estate, Property Management, property development, urban living

Please say it is not true! If that theatre closes, I say 10% decline in Highland Park property values… agree????

13 Comments to “Highland Park Village Regent’s Theatre Closing?”

Dr. House @ January 27th, 2009 at 6:16 pm

Surely your tongue was planted firmly in your cheek when you write of a decline in property values!

The Regent Theatre is such a non-issue – who wants to sit in a theater with some screens the size of a large flat screen television and terrible acoustics when there are so many better venues nearby.

Newer theaters have much more to offer and without the hassle of HP Village Parking.

In fact, if you asked 100 random Park Cities residents to name a movie theater, I bet 60-70 people would say NorthPark AMC, 10-15 Inwood, 5-10 Angelika, Magnolia and Village Regent.

I grew up going to the VIllage movie theater when it had just one screen. It was a neighborhood place where we could walk to the Saturday morning movie and grab lunch at the Skillern’s soda fountain or later Los Vaqueros.

There is very little of that feel left there. Maybe that’s good, maybe that’s not – it is what it is. And that’s why I rarely go there anymore.

Hopefully Charter Holdings will get its monies worth.
PHDweller @ January 27th, 2009 at 7:20 pm

“The Regent Theatre is such a non-issue – who wants to sit in a theater with some screens the size of a large flat screen television and terrible acoustics when there are so many better venues nearby.”

Yeah, like most Park Cities residents’ theatre rooms.
Dr. House @ January 27th, 2009 at 8:12 pm

@PHDweller

I was being facetious with my comparison – trying to make a point that compared to other local theaters, the Village Regent is really not very nice.

Maybe the proposed redo will help if it is not too late.

Sorry if I confused you.
PHDweller @ January 27th, 2009 at 10:36 pm

I was being completely serious, though. Many people who live in close proximity to the Regent honestly have better set-ups within their homes.
Joe @ January 28th, 2009 at 8:05 am

@Dr. House
You’re showing your age. Did you shop at Worthington’s,the Village Record Shop or Sally B’s?

Seriously, the original theater had charm and character but was doomed like the Esquire, Delman, Tower, etc. One-screen theaters just weren’t all that profitable compared to the multi-screen operations.

However, for the PC people who fear venturing outside the “bubble,” the HP theater is their only choice.

It will be interesting to see what happens to the HP site when and if the sale of the Village goes through.
Dr. House @ January 28th, 2009 at 9:38 am

@Joe

How about Doak Walker’s, Sanger Harris and the Village Book Store?

Agree that a single screen theater is not practical – nor was that the issue of discussion.

The issue is whether the Regent Theater is comparable to other local multiplexes – and IMHO the answer is no in its current condition.

If a sale of the Village goes through, the new ownership will have a hard decision to make.
James @ January 28th, 2009 at 10:23 am

I actually like the convenience of this theatre… Much easier to get in and out of than Northpark! Sure, it’s basically a dump on the inside but I still enjoy it. I can grab some dinner at Mi Cocina or Patrizio’s and walk right over… I’d love to see it fixed up instead of closed!
billy @ January 28th, 2009 at 10:37 am

It would be disappointing but not surprising to see the theater close. Perhaps more money in retail space could be made with different shops so a few consider that progress! It may instead hurt the overall business of the Village causing it to lose some of its convenience and charm. The theater adds to the small town feel of HP with great shopping and food choices in one upscale area.
kj @ January 28th, 2009 at 10:38 am

The theater was a nice place meet people as a kid. I would walk or ride my bike up there as much as I could. Loved the 5 & 10, record shop, and…anybody remember the model shop? I lived to go to the coin shop.

Anyway, if Ray Washburn becomes the new owner he would understand the history as the Village and the theater were also a big part of his life growing up. I think the theater can be relevant going forward.
Dr. House @ January 28th, 2009 at 11:53 am

@kj

Think you could be onto something – Ray is a savvy investor but, having grown up here, could have a soft spot for the theater – and I think his wife could have something to say about it also.
FH42 @ January 29th, 2009 at 1:48 pm

have heard that Tristan Simon has been contacted about converting it to some sort of movie grill? Interesting….
sb @ January 29th, 2009 at 9:59 pm

The success of the Inwood Village theater shows that neighborhood theaters can thrive, if they are maintained and upgraded. I argue that the HP Village theater is not just a relic of days gone by, but that it remains very relevant. The theater is the “heart” of HP Village. People still enjoy walking to the Village for dinner and a movie. The theater needs investment, maintenance, and to be brought forward creatively, and it will pay dividends for years to come.
Pigskinnie @ January 30th, 2009 at 8:51 am

I like the theater, but keep in mind that UP and Snider Plaza seem to have done just fine since the removal of its theater…