The Regal UA Court Street and RPX cinema has been the victim of real estate negotiations, according to the cinema chain. Photo courtesy of Cinema Treasures
More than a week after the Regal UA Court Street & RPX Theater at 106 Court St. abruptly ceased operations without warning, Regal has confirmed the official closure of the multiplex theater.
In a statement sent to the Eagle on Thursday, January 27, Regal said that while the company is proud that its Court Street location has served as a gathering place for the downtown Brooklyn community for more than 20 years , the company was unable to reach an agreement with the landlord on a fair and sustainable rent that would have enabled the very large renovation investment needed.
“As the lease term was over and negotiations with the landlord failed, we had to close the location instead,” he said. “While we continue to believe in the site and the community, we had to make the difficult decision to close this location due to our inability to reach an agreement with the landlord on a new lease term reflecting the need for a major and very expensive renovation. needed to bring a state-of-the-art Regal-style theater to Brooklyn,” the statement read.
On Jan. 21, a spokesperson for Madison International Realty, the owner, told The New York Times that the company was “gathering more information” and shared “the community’s disappointment.”
As of press time, Madison International Realty has not responded to Regal’s statement.
“Over the past few years, we have worked hard to ensure our audiences have the best possible cinematic experience through significant investment in refurbishing and renovating our venues, and we were ready and would have liked to bring that level of experience. at our Court Street location,” the statement added.
During its existence, the theatre, which was in the same building as a Barnes & Noble bookstore, had developed a reputation as a rowdy place where audiences shouted at the screen, especially during action films. , and fights sometimes broke out.
On Twitter, Sheryl Huggins Salomon said: “I did my share of on-screen response at UA Court Street, but was always ready to challenge behavior that showed ‘no home practice’ from from people of all stripes (feet on the back of the seat in front of you? Really?) Thanks for the memories. »
Daniel Stedman tweeted: “My friends favorite movie theater is closing. I have never seen a movie there without someone screaming and/or food being thrown at the screen. I will really miss this landmark.
“It was wild and loud as hell at times,” another Twitter user said.
“And yet, I would still take it above seeing it turned into more condos or another bank.”
“Scream” was the last film to play in theaters.
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