Ludlow Street’s Metrograph Theater is on Target for February Debut
This image has been archived or removed.
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.
This image has been archived or removed.
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.
This image has been archived or removed.
Recent Stories
Developer Begins Demolition of Rutgers Street Playground for Temporary Parking Lot
Demolition work began this week on a Lower East Side park that is a focal point in the tension between the community and developers on the waterfront. The backhoes are out and job now underway at Rutgers Park, the small public space beside the Lands End II residential development. Removal of the playground began yesterday, including […]
The 3 Lower East Side Walk-ups that Sold for $35M
Earlier this month, we reported that SMA Equities, the Long Island real estate firm with controversial history on the Lower East Side, sold a portfolio of its area properties. SMA unloaded three tenement walk-ups to Daniel Fishman of GAIA Real Estate – 102 Norfolk Street, 177 Ludlow Street, and 99 Allen Street – for an […]
H&M Debuts Pop-up Hotel on the Bowery this Weekend
Fashion retailer, H&M, is headed to the Lower East Side this week with a pop-up hotel concept. Starting tomorrow, prospective guests can access the so-called Hotel Hennes via the eponymous 3 Freeman Alley. The three-day publicity stunt will be open through Saturday, from 2 to 9pm. Guests will be able to check in for an […]
Sneakerhead Arrested for Knifing Customer at Hypebeast ‘HBX’ Opening on Division Street
A watershed moment for Hypebeast transformed into a melee on the Lower East Side last week. The Hong Kong-based fashion and lifestyle publication on Friday officially debuted in the seven-story commercial loft building at 41-43 Division Street. Its ground-level store – dubbed HBX – attracted a queue of sneaker heads waiting for a limited edition Nike […]
Arsonist Torches Eldridge Street Beauty Parlor
Two people were injured yesterday evening after an arsonist set ablaze a beauty parlor on Eldridge Street, according to several published reports. The incident transpired shortly before 5:00pm at the Sa Sa II Beauty Salon, located at 129 Eldridge Street. Cops said the suspect poured gasoline inside the store and set it on fire. (Initial […]
