Sneak peek: future luxury movie theater off Lakeshore Parkway

Birmingham is one step closer to getting a new luxury movie theater off Lakeshore Parkway, following Birmingham City Council’s approval of funds for a new access road on April 17. Bham Now has the exclusive preview.

It’s a modern remake of an old classic

After a stint as Point of Grace Church, the vacant theater at 500 Commons Drive will once again show movies to Birmingham audiences. After the purchase is finalized, Texas-based Premiere Cinemas will gut and transform the property into a luxury movie theater under its Lux brand.

What is a luxury movie theater, exactly? We’ve got deets

• 11 screens
• At least one large-format screen similar to IMAX
• Reserved-only seating (and high-end recliners!)
• Arcade
• Self-serve drink, icee and popcorn stations (there’s kettle corn!)
• Pizza Pub with 12 beer taps, serving pizza, breadsticks and wings
• Upscale cafe with a Starbucks and full bar
• Top-shelf liquor, wine, frozen margaritas and adult beverages inspired by blockbusters du jour

Fun Fact: Chicken alfredo pizza is a bestseller at the original Pizza Pub in the Grand Prairie Premiere Lux Cinema in Texas.

The hype about the chairs is legit

The luxury movie theater will be the first in the Birmingham metro area to offer reclining seats, featuring electronically adjustable footrests and headrests, as well as swivel trays. The chairs are so comfortable, patrons of the existing Premiere Lux Cinemas in Texas have been known to fall asleep in them. The chairs also offer USB ports, so you can charge your phone while you watch. (Keep those phones on silent, please!)

The 12-tap draft system is a feat of engineering

Jason Thode, theater director at the Premiere Lux Cinema location in Grand Prairie, Texas, has a degree in mechanical engineering. He applied his engineer’s mindset to researching and implementing a system that keeps beer cold from keg to line to tap.  Domestic, imported and local craft beers will be featured on draft, in addition to standard bottled beers, at the Birmingham location.

The coming attraction is already a hit in Birmingham

“I’ve heard from people all throughout the Birmingham Metropolitan area via social media, text messages and calls. They are just elated about the opportunity for our city,” said Birmingham City Councilor Jay Roberson, whose district includes the location of the future luxury movie theater. Roberson grew up enjoying movies at now-closed theaters off Green Springs, in Wildwood and at the soon-to-be-revitalized property. “I’m excited to see family entertainment and movies coming back to the area,” he said.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that the theater would be the first in the state of  Alabama to offer luxury reclining seats. The theater will be the first in the Birmingham metro area, not the state, to offer reclining seats.