A renovation of South Coast Cinemas in Laguna Beach, Calif.,, a Vaudeville-era theater right across from Main Beach, is proposed to include all three.
The concept from Irvine-based Rivian, which manufactures the electric cars, debuted recently with the city’s Planning Commission, drawing praise from most of its members as a creative and innovative use for the theater first opened in 1934 as the New Lynn Theatre.
The project would renovate the building’s exterior, reconfiguration its interior – both keeping with its Mediterranean Revival style – and restore its original stage and orchestra pit as well as marquee outside. Two electric vehicles would be showcased in the lobby.
Since the property is on the city’s Historic Register, a review by the Heritage Committee is required. The city’s Design Review Board will also take a look before the project is considered in earnest by the Planning Commission.
Rivian officials say they are in escrow to buy the property and hope to open in 2021. The theater has been closed since 2015.
“I have long believed that the theater would serve the community best by being a multi-use venue for music, lectures, live poetry and dance,” Commissioner Jorg Dubin, a well-known artist in town, said. “I believe the concept is innovative and achieves many of the stated goals.”
The theater would be reduced to a single 130-seat venue, making room to expand the public lobby, add a hospitality area and include space for education and community programs. The new lobby is also where Rivian plans to stage its two electric vehicles. During regular business hours, the space would be open to the public so people could learn more about the company’s mission of sustainability.
Denise Cherry, Rivian’s senior director, told planning commissioners last week the theater purchase is part of Rivian’s broader retail strategy of pursuing adaptive reuse of existing buildings where possible.
The theater closed in 2015 after its operator, Regency Theatres, was unable to secure a longtime lease to make necessary renovations and upgrades.
Showing movies there was costly and less efficient because of outdated technology in the two-auditorium, 674-seat theater, Regency officials said at the time. ItS closing not only left the town without a place to see movies, but it was also among the last of the beach movie theaters left along Southern California’s coast.
Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, actors turned movie studio execs, were part of the theater’s dedication when it opened in 1934. Some of the theater’s longest-running shows were “Chocolat,” “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Little Miss Sunshine.” One movie, “Sordid Lives,” directed by Del Shores, ran for almost a year.
Rivian officials said the entire complex could become a centralized meeting spot in the downtown and could host private and community events. The theater would also continue to screen movies, but could also be used for live entertainment, lectures and educational programs for local schools. There are no plans to change the size of the building.
“The community in Laguna has a deep artistic history and a strong love of nature,” Cherry said. “This Rivian space will continue the town’s long tradition of connecting people to the arts and the outdoors.”
©2020 The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
