1 Embarcadero Center | map |
Opened: July 14, 1995 with Landmark Theatres as the operator. It was at the southwest corner of Clay St. and Front St. on the third floor of the Embarcadero Center complex. This February 2, 2022 entrance view by Marco Cerritos appeared with G. Allen Johnson's story for the Chronicle titled "Landmark's Embarcadero Center Cinema to close after 26 years in S.F."
Seating: It opened as a 4 screen complex with a capacity of 953. Later a 5th screen was added.
The theatres got a remodel in 2013 and reopened November 1 that year with 7 screens, recliner seats in 4 of the auditoria and a wine bar. Total capacity was then 463 with sizes ranging from 24 to 132 seats. Screen 1: 132, screen 2: 24, screen 3: 26, screen 4: 28, screen 5: 35 screen 6: 99, screen 7: 119.
Architects: ELS Architects
Copy from the Landmark Theatres website discussed the complex:
"Since opening on Bastille Day in 1995, the seven-screen cinema has taken the city of San Francisco by storm. It is not only one of the busiest and highest grossing Landmark Theatres, it also ranks nationally among the most successful and prestigious theatres featuring high-profile independent film and foreign language cinema...
"In 2013, the theatre underwent renovations. It... was remodeled to give it a contemporary feel and to showcase a number of new amenities and unique architectural elements. The brand new 35' long concession stand has a glass display case... In the new bar area particular attention was paid to creating a cool place to enjoy a glass of wine or beer before or after the film. The lounge space has large built-in sofas creating a feeling of total luxury and comfort. A wide offering of wine and beer, including selections from local vineyards and breweries is available to order.
"Part of the renovation included a total upgrade using the latest in technology to elevate the customer experience. Guests can now take advantage of easy 'print-at-home' or mobile ticketing, utilize reserved seating or pick up tickets at kiosks in the lobby... Stadium seating was installed in the largest auditorium and as an extra special touch, four of the seven auditoriums are now stadium-style luxury Screening Lounges with specially designed leather-feel recliners with electric controls for added comfort. Each auditorium will have crystal clear projection, new sound systems and wall-to-wall screens."
Closing: The last day of operation was February 3, 2022. The closing was discussed in Tom Brueggemann's February 2 Indiewire story "Landmark's San Francisco Embarcadero Center Cinema To Close." Non-payment of rent had been an issue. Tom noted:
"Eight markets host Landmark Theatres; this is at least the 11th Landmark theater to be vacated in just over two years. Among these are New York’s 57 West, Washington, D.C.’s West End, Houston’s River Oaks, Minneapolis’ Uptown Edina, St. Louis’ Tivoli, Detroit’s Main Art, San Diego’s Ken, and well as the Clay also in San Francisco and the California in nearby Berkeley. In 2018, prior to current owner Charles Cohen’s acquisition of the chain, Landmark closed the Sunshine in Manhattan as well.
The company recently opened the Scottsdale (AZ) Quarter Theatre, and has signed an agreement to take over the suburban Chicago Glenview Quarter location previously operated by Arclight Cinemas. Landmark retains the four-screen Opera Plaza in San Francisco. The theater had a major remodeling in 2021, but has been secondary to the Embarcadero for top specialized films... They also have four locations in the East Bay and Peninsula."
Gary Parks comments:
Too bad about the Embarcadero. I rather liked it. Rebecca and I went there a few times over the years for good films, mostly foreign. The Iranian animated film, 'Persepolis,' particularly stands out in memory. But what I remember about the place is the nice way the old gray concrete Embarcadero Center style shell had been 'warmed up' with simple sculptural accents and soft colors, and there was a nice feeling of being cozily tucked away amid the big city. What’s more, it seemed every time we went there, we'd get into interesting little conversations with with a staff member, fellow patrons, or both—always friendly, intelligent people."
Following this closing, Landmark operated 36 locations nationwide. In the Bay Area they have the Albany Twin, the Piedmont in Oakland, the Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley, the Aquarius in Palo Alto and the Opera Plaza in San Francisco.
Lobby views:
A post-closing peek into the lobby. Thanks to Steve Rhodes for his photo, one of 18 in a March 2022 post on the
BAHT Facebook page.
The snackbar after closing. Thanks to Steve Rhodes for his photo.
The auditoria:
In auditorium 4, a 28 seat house. Thanks to John Rice for his 2014 photo, a post on
Cinema Treasures.
The rear of one of the auditoria in a photo appearing with a 2014
Haute Living story about the best San Francisco cinemas.
More exterior views:
A c.2004 photo taken by Fred Beall that's in the Jack Tillmany collection.
Another c.2004 Fred Beall photo. Thanks, Jack!
A post-closing view. Thanks to Steve Rhodes for his photo, one of 18 in a March 2022 post on the
BAHT Facebook page.
Another March 2022 shot. Thanks to Steve Rhodes for the photo.
Jack Tillmany's Arcadia Publishing book "Theatres of San Francisco" can be previewed on
Google Books. It's available from
Amazon or your local bookseller.
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