Ludlow Street’s Metrograph Theater is on Target for February Debut
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The much-anticipated Metrograph theater just announced its opening date. Owner Alexander Olch pushed back the inauguration another month to Friday February 19, 2016. This, according to a holiday greeting from the official Twitter account.
It was early summer when eponymous boutique owner Alexander Olch embarked on this cinematic journey to convert the old warehouse at 7 Ludlow Street into a fully-fledged movie house (we were the first to break the story). Now, six months later, the Metrograph is starting to match the early renderings. Where once stood an ordinary brick box, now sits a building with a permanent makeover.
Yes, interior construction has also been underway for months. Deliveries happen daily, and progress seems to advance at a quick pace. But until last month, there was no change in the exterior. Contractors already punched through the masonry to open up the premises. New windows and door, as illustrated in the renderings.
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So far, nine such openings have been carved out of the brick.
The Metrograph will offer a mix of first-run independent and international movies, as well as repertory films, played on both 35mm and DCP. Programming will be chosen by two curators. Jacob Perlin, programmer-at-large at the Film Society of Lincoln Center and formerly an associate programmer at BAMcinematek, and Aliza Ma from the Museum of the Moving Image and the Toronto International Film Festival.
As previously reported, the Metrograph isn’t just a duplex theater. It’ll also house onsite offerings such as restaurant, a movie-themed bookstore, and lounge. The nightlife concept was identified as The Commissary, a nod to the golden age of film and the classic Commissary at the Warner Brothers Studios. Chef Jake Klein is in the kitchen.
The Commissary is broken into two designated hangouts inside 7 Ludlow – upstairs and downstairs, each with a respective bar. There will be nineteen tables between the two, plus “lounge seating.” Food and liquor will be served at all seats. Community Board 3 approved the OP license with the stipulation of last call at 2am.
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