Hollywood’s Historic Chinese Theater Coming to San Diego

Eater has more details on Theatre Box, the luxury theatre, dining, and entertainment complex coming to the Gaslamp later this fall. Occupying a solid city block downtown at Fifth Avenue and G Street, the project replaces the long-shuttered Reading Cinemas Gaslamp, replacing it with a new two-story, 73,000-square-foot building that will combine the movie-going experience with six food and drink venues.

Theatre Box is the first foray into the luxury cinema market for the legendary TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, and its lobby will feature the iconic movie star handprints and footprints that are the signature of the Hollywood Boulevard landmark. Its eight boutique theaters filled with plush leather recliners will be located on the second level, and will offer dine-in services from Sugar Factory American Brasserie, the celebrity-fueled hotspot that has locations in Las Vegas, New York City, Dubai, and the Philippines.

The street-level eatery serves a huge menu, from red velvet pancakes and apple pie crepes to woodfired pizza, pasta, and grassfed beef burgers. Sugar Factory is also known for its over-the-top treats, from 60-ounce goblet-sized cocktails garnished with candy necklaces to milkshakes and ice cream sandwiches.

The main level will also include a Sugar Factory retail shop, which will stock more than 500 kinds of confections and feature a cafe counter offering gelato, coffee, and fresh pastries. The company will also operate The Chocolate Lounge, an upscale spot that will host DJs and serve a sweet menu of cocktails poured into chocolate-dipped glasses as well as chocolate fondue.

Courtesy of Theatre Box®

Scheduled to open by Winter 2018 are the last two venues, a 6,000-square-foot rooftop bar and Nick Cannon’s Wild ‘N Out Sports Bar and Arcade. The San Diego native and television personality launched the entertainment hub in Miami Beach earlier this year, which features a state-of-the-art arcade, Wild ‘N Out show memorabilia, TVs for sports-watching, bar food, and the promise of monthly DJ appearances from Cannon and various celebrity guests.