Chapel Hill movie buffs can rejoice — a premium theater is coming to University Mall.
On Tuesday, mall management announced its agreement with Silverspot Cinema to build a luxury movie theater complex in the space currently occupied by Dillard’s as the latest step of its redevelopment plan.
The South American movie theater operator will open a 13-screen, 52,500-square-foot movie complex offering an upscale atmosphere that includes a lounge area and full restaurant.
Each theater will be equipped with state-of-the-art sound and projection technology, reserved stadium seating and extra-large, hand-stitched leather seats, according to a press release from the mall.
Peter de Leon, University Mall’s general manager, said he thinks the theater will be a big help for the mall and sees the new addition as a reflection of the local community.
“The new theater speaks to the highly sophisticated, highly cultured community we have in Chapel Hill. They’re going to start construction in 2014, with an early 2015 opening,” he said.
Aaron Nelson, president and CEO of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, said the new amenity will be positive for both the mall and Chapel Hill.
“The theater will draw customers to support the mall’s exciting, new and longtime merchants,” Nelson said in an email.
“It enhances Chapel Hill as a destination for entertainment and will help redirect local dollars that had been traveling out of our community to neighboring theaters.”
