Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Luxury movie theater expected to break ground downtown next month

Eclipse Theater

COURTESY

A three-story, upscale theater complex is expected to break ground at 3rd Street and Gass Avenue next month.

A luxury movie theater complex is expected to break ground in Downtown Las Vegas next month.

After securing state and federal tax credits earlier this year, developers think Eclipse Theaters could open as soon as March.

The three-story, luxury complex will span about 72,000 square feet near the Arts District, at 3rd Street and Gass Avenue. It will have eight screens, a restaurant, a lounge, an outdoor patio and space for private parties.

Nic Steele, the project’s managing director, has ambitious plans to show a wide range of content, from first-run films to arthouse films and sporting events. He sees the theater as filling a void in an up-and-coming area miles removed from the nearest competitor.

“Time and time again we’ve heard from different people in the area that a theater is one of the things they would bring to the area if they could,” Steele said.

A big draw, Steele believes, will be the theater’s high-end amenities, which include leather seating, restaurant fare, drinks and a waiting service.

Eclipse is expected to offer two types of seating. General audience tickets will start at $12-$14. Premier tickets will start at $19-$21 and come with a bag of popcorn, a blanket and wait service.

While much of the new development in Downtown Las Vegas over the past few years has sprouted up around the East Fremont Street district, a result of the Tony Hsieh-funded Downtown Project, Eclipse Theaters will be closer to upscale Arts District housing, including the Soho Lofts, the Newport Lofts and the Juhl.

“The way I see it is the Downtown Project and Tony Hsieh have done a fantastic job of being the spark for downtown,” Steele said. “But you really need other developers to come in and fill in the void. You can’t have one group or one developer determining the vision for Downtown.”

Facing a gap in funding, the development process for Eclipse Theaters was stalled for nearly a year and a half after receiving initial approval from the Planning Commission in January 2014. Much of the funding for the project ultimately came from private financing, but developers also also received federal and state New Market Tax Credits, which benefit development in low-income areas.

Steele said the project is expected to bring about 400 construction jobs and 100 permanent jobs.

“Typically what you see is when a theater is built is it’s a destination point,” Steele said. “What I fully expect to happen is once Eclipse Theaters starts to build construction you’ll start to see plans for other businesses in the area.”

The city has approved the complex’s design and is currently processing permits for its construction.

“I’m looking forward to the next year,” Steele said.

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