Jealous of the A-listers and critics who see movies in private screening rooms? Metro Private Cinema, a first-of-its kind venue that offers 20 individual private movie and dining suites, has opened its first-ever location in a two-story, 15,000-square-foot space (formerly a Duane Reade drugstore) at 131 Eighth Avenue in Chelsea.
JT Magen served as construction manager for the tenant improvement project, overseeing all aspects from budgeting and scheduling, procurement of materials, managing subcontractors and conducting the final handover. Other members of the project team include Weiss Architecture, architect and interior design; David Keene and Company, structural engineer; Sonic, acoustical consultants and EnviroDesign, MEP engineer. Walter T. Gorman Engineering was the project’s permitting expediter and designed its fire alarm system.
The project team configured the building to include 20 individual private movie suites that can each accommodate a range of four to 20 guests. These exquisite spaces are outfitted with high-end furnishings and finishes such as millwork, fabric panels, curtains and offer guests comfortable amenities, including theatre seating and an en-suite dining table. Each suite features independent acoustical and climate control, as well as state-of-the-art projection and audio components.
“With our extensive local resources and long history managing complex commercial fitouts, JT Magen was uniquely positioned to deliver this project for Metro Private Cinema,” said Charles Russo, a project manager at JT Magen. “We were fortunate to partner with some of the best craftsmen and consultants in the industry, which enabled the project team to meet the client’s expectations and achieve success on a high level.
In addition to the 20 private movie theaters, Metro Cinema includes a full kitchen and separate bar. The space is decorated in lush materials, accents, fixtures and finishes, and touches of old Hollywood can be found throughout via movie posters and memorabilia.
“We have been seeing a higher demand for private experiences, whether it’s dining, movies, sports, or gaming,” said Sean Murray of JT Magen, who served as principal in charge on the Metro Cinema project. “Customers are looking for more personalized, intimate experiences that offer controllable comfort. Metro Cinema, with its rich finishes, certainly meets and exceeds this demand.”
Acoustics were a huge part of this project. Working hand-in-hand with Sonic, each private theatre was independently outfitted with acoustic construction techniques to prevent sound and vibration from leaking into adjoining theatres. The walls, ceilings, panels, and fabric were specifically designed to absorb sound, while the doors to each theatre are two inches thick and feature gasketing and specialized hardware.
The retrofit required upgrading the majority of the building’s infrastructure. A new cooling tower and new heat exchangers were added to allow each suite to have independent, individually controlled HVAC systems. The full kitchen commanded the installation of gas lines, ventilation ductwork and a steel structural mezzanine platform to support the kitchen equipment.
Will Engelmann Photography
