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The Coral Gables Art Cinema, located in Downtown Coral Gables at 260 Aragon Ave., has shown some 1,000 movies since its opening in 2010, ranging from first-run films to independent and classic movies that appeal to diverse audiences.
Now, its directors have plans to expand the cinema to include a second auditorium with an additional 92 seats, luxurious lobby, display window and extra office space.
The planned new screen will be special according to the cinema’s founder, Steven Krams, who graduated from the University of Miami with a concentration in radio and television production.
“The screen is going to be set up so that the perspective of the image fills the entire vision space, which means that even though you might be in a small auditorium, you’re going to feel like you’re in a big, big theater,” Krams described in a fundraising campaign video.
According to Brenda Moe, Coral Gables Art Cinema’s executive director, there is a specific timeline for the expansion.
“Buildout will begin in September 2021 with a completion date of spring 2022,” she said.
Moe stated that the architects in charge of the project were Ferguson, Glasgow, Schuster, and Soto Inc.; the engineering firm was M2E Consulting Engineers, and the design and installation firm was Magna-Tech Electronic Co. These also are some of the project’s major donors.
There are definite reasons for the cinema’s expansion. Sustainability, community and impact are three reasons that the campaign materials list for the move to grow. The goal is to raise $1.5 million by this fall.
With its current location, its existence is in jeopardy, or as the representatives of the cinema say, “it is not sustainable.” There are seven competing cinemas in a three-mile radius totaling 58 screens, so in order to hold its own, the cinema must expand.
For the community, the cinema always has been a place to gather and enjoy a great film in the heart of Coral Gables.
Donald Slesnick II, a founding board member and former Coral Gables mayor, voiced his love for the Coral Gables Art Cinema in the cinema’s video explaining the need to expand.
“Coral Gables Art Cinema is one of the pride and joys of Coral Gables. It is an essential piece of the cultural scene in this city,” he said.
The impact on the city of Coral Gables stands to be substantial. They expect to contribute approximately $3 million to the area as it could raise cinema attendance to about 80,000 people.
To be part of this effort, give online at https://gablescinema.givecloud.co/give or contact the Coral Gables Art Cinema fundraising director at 786-472-2249, ext. 412.
