Luxury Cinema & Restaurant Complex Entering the Gaslamp

Joining the luxury cinema landscape is Theatre Box, which will replace the long-shuttered Gaslamp multiplex at Fifth Avenue and G Street; The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the project is slated to open by the end of 2017. The building will undergo a multimillion dollar renovation, with the new high-end movie theater sharing the 73,000-square-foot space with two restaurants and a bar.

The upscale Theatre Box will feature state-of-the-art auditoriums outfitted with all the bells and whistles, including seat-side food and drink service. Its developer, Elie Samaha, is part owner of Los Angeles’ iconic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, now known as TCL Chinese Theatre, and the Gaslamp venue, designed by LA-based Gulla Jonsdottir Architecture + Design (Hotel La Jolla, Hyde Lounge), will reportedly incorporate some elements from the historic Hollywood movie palace, including its signature concrete blocks imprinted with signatures, handprints and footprints of motion picture stars.

Pairing up with Theatre Box is a version of Sugar Factory, which has a location at TCL Chinese Theatre and outposts all over the globe. Calling itself an “American Brasserie”, the eatery’s menu ranges from 60-ounce goblets of fruity drinks garnished with lollipops to waffles and crepes, pasta, pizza and steaks; a celebrity page on its website has photos of Flavor Flav to Pitbull posing with the sugary treats. Sugar Factory will also operate a gelato counter, candy store and the Chocolate Lounge, which will serve chocolate martinis, chocolate truffles and chocolate fondue.

And Jimmy Buffet is coming to town in the form of LandShark Bar & Grill, a concept from his Margaritaville stable of restaurants, bars and resorts; the casual menu features buckets of beer, sandwiches, burger and of course, margaritas. The complex will also house a 5,000-square-foot bar on its rooftop that should open sometime next year.