Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, the Texas-based dine-in theater chain that was supposed make its Arizona debut in downtown Chandler last month, finally has found a new location.
The nine-screen complex, which includes a restaurant and locally focused craft beer bar, will be built on the northeast corner of Arizona Avenue and Chandler Heights in south Chandler.
Earlier: Waiting for Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in downtown Chandler? It ain’t happening
That’s five miles directly south of the original location on city-owned land on the southwest corner of Arizona Avenue and Chandler Boulevard announced in December 2014.
That location was supposed to open Dec. 14, 2015, for the premiere of ‘‘Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens.’’
“I have always wanted Chandler to be the first Arizona location for the Alamo Drafthouse,” says Craig Paschich, who left Alamo’s corporate offices and moved to Arizona to open several locations.
Delays on The Row
Alamo was supposed to anchor a downtown development called The Row, which also would have featured new locations of popular local restaurants like The Vig, La Bocca, and Modern Margarita.
In July 2015, MXSW exclusively revealed the start of construction had been delayed by a problem with the fill dirt. Alamo eventually dropped out and began searching for new sites.
Earlier: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema delayed by dirt problem in downtown Chandler
In October, Chandler approved new plans for The Row that reportedly would include a Harkins dine-in theater concept to be called Red’s Drafthouse Cinema.
So far, though, the Scottsdale-based theater chain hasn’t confirmed its participation.
So who’s still in?
I’ve heard The Vig has looked at other locations in Chandler, including the former Coach & Willie’s space on Arizona and Boston, but also remains interested in The Row.
Valley restaurateur Julian Wright sold La Bocca and Modern Margarita last year, and it’s not known whether the new owners are interested in the Chandler project.
Alamo, which has been named ‘‘the best theater in America’’ by Entertainment Weekly and ‘‘the best theater in the world’’ by Wired.com, is scheduled to open later this year.
The Row still hasn’t broken ground.
