The historic Don Lee Building, a 100-year-old Cadillac showroom at 1000 Van Ness in San Francisco, is becoming a movie theater again. Apple Cinemas will open a 14-screen complex with an IMAX, the city's first LED cinema screen, and reclining seats after CGV closed in 2023.
A theater complex is reopening at an historic San Francisco landmark, and it is a great sign for the trajectory of the area. The Don Lee Building at 1000 Van Ness was originally built as a showroom for Cadillac with help from architect Weeks Day over 100 years ago before it was turned into a movie theater in the 1990s. Since that time, it's played host to multiple movie theater chains, the latest of which, CGV, lost a bunch of money after doing a ton of renovations to the building because of reduced foot traffic during the pandemic and ultimately shut its doors in 2023. But great news, the nationally registered historic landmark is set for a rejuvenation as being taken over by an East Coast-based theater chain named Apple Cinemas. They recently leased the over 92,000 square foot theater space at the Don Lee Building with plans to open a 14-screen theater, including an IMAX screen and San Francisco's first ever LED screen. There are also plans to add a restaurant, bar space, and reclining seats, which would all be welcome additions. Really happy to have another movie theater in the area. I love going to the movies. Let me know what you think in the comments and follow me for more Bay Area real estate.
