(Los Angeles) – March 26, 2008 – Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas – representing a joint venture between Australian global entertainment leader, Village Roadshow Limited, Act III, Lambert Entertainment and the Retirement Systems of Alabama - today announced the United States launch of its premium luxury cinema group. Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas will launch two locations in 2008, the first one scheduled to open in fourth quarter in South Barrington, Illinois followed by Redmond, Washington. Gold Class Cinemas will target more then 10M patrons, with an estimated ticket price of $35 and more than 50 locations slated to open across all major U.S. cities over the next five years.
Targeting an upscale and affluent consumer, Gold Class Cinemas are superbly designed to provide a luxuriously intimate setting unlike any other cinema experience in the United States. Each Gold Class Cinema features a maximum of 40 unique luxury reclining arm chair seats and the latest state-of-the-art technology with digital projection, including 3-D, as well as super-wide screens and digital sound, delivering a stunning movie-going experience. Guests can watch their film enjoying fine wine and gourmet cuisine from the seasonal menu prepared by chefs in the Gold Class kitchen. A service button calls on a personal waiter should guests require any extra items to ensure their premium movie experience is complete.
Gold Class Cinemas also feature a contemporary lounge and bar area where guests can relax and enjoy cocktails and light appetizers or desserts before or after their film. A VIP concierge, valet service, and an online booking feature where guests can select their own seats completes the ultimate first class cinema experience and reinvents the way consumers go to the movies.
Gold Class Cinemas will be located in upscale lifestyle malls and town center developments, incorporating the finest in contemporary architectural design.
“Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas are renowned worldwide for providing the ultimate luxury cinema experience. Introducing that experience in the U.S. is a natural extension of our highly-regarded brand and our Village Roadshow businesses,” said Robert Kirby, Deputy Chairman, Village Roadshow Limited.
“We couldn’t be more enthusiastic about this exciting venture,” added Kirk Senior, CEO, Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas. “The demand for luxury movie-going in the U.S. is very strong and by working with our partners, Gold Class Cinemas are delivering on that demand in a way never before experienced by the American consumer.”
Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas will be led by CEO, Kirk Senior. Senior has over 15 years experience in the cinema and entertainment industry with Village Roadshow and has been instrumental in driving the company’s successful cinema operations throughout the world.
Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas is headquartered in Burbank, California.
About Village Roadshow Limited
Village Roadshow Limited is one of the world’s pre-eminent entertainment groups which include a leading film distributor, theme parks, cinemas and radio stations in Australia and other global markets. Through its Village Roadshow Pictures Group partnership with Crescent Entertainment, an affiliate of Act III Communications, Village Roadshow Limited also is a leading independent producer of Hollywood films. Since 1999, VRPG has produced nearly 60 motion pictures garnering critical and commercial success with films such as The Matrix Trilogy, Ocean’s Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen, Mystic River, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Happy Feet.
Village Roadshow Limited pioneered luxury Gold Class cinemas in Australia in 1997. Today, Village Cinemas Gold Class is the #1 luxury cinema brand in Australia. The success in Australia has seen the luxury cinema concept and brand launched around the world, including Asia and Europe.
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The Arboretum of South Barrington is a 600,000 square-foot lifestyle center under development in Chicago’s affluent northwest suburbs, with completion scheduled for fall 2008. The open-air center, which broke ground in May 2007, is named for the lush treescapes and gardens of its landscape, and for the large tree farm that formerly stood on the site. Among retailers at The Arboretum of South Barrington are three unique anchors, including the country’s first Village Road Show Gold Class Cinemas, a luxury cinema experience and the new way to go to the movies; LL Bean’s first Midwest outdoor gear and apparel store; and Pinstripes, Chicago’s own bowling, bocce and bistro concept. An upscale mix of fashion apparel brands, home furnishings, restaurants and other retailers are also planned -- all less than a mile from the four-way interchange at I-90 ( the region’s major transportation artery), at the highly coveted intersection of Illinois Routes 59 and 72. Other retailers signed include Arhaus, Anna Shea Chocolates & Lounge, Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, Jos. A. Bank, Ann Taylor Loft, Victoria’s Secret, DSW, Panera Bread, and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.
The Jaffe Companies, owner and developer of The Arboretum of South Barrington, has been developing successful shopping centers and mixed-use projects for nearly two decades across the US, primarily in the Midwest. Firm principal Michael Jaffe has been involved in several notable projects, including Huebner Oaks Center, a 400,000-square-foot lifestyle center in San Antonio, Texas; Geneva Commons, a 450,000-square-foot lifestyle center in Geneva, Ill; and Orchard Grove Shopping Center in Aurora, Ill.
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The Arboretum of South Barrington
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