DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. Sundance Cinemas became the first big name brand to sign on and join Rivertowns Square, the developers announced at a Tuesday press conference.
Were not out to compete with the white table cloth restaurants, but we are designing facilities so you can come in have a beverage of your choice and enjoy it in an environment that is very comfortable and welcoming, said Paul Richardson, Sundance Cinemas president and CEO.
The 32,550 square foot facility, which is operated by Sundance Group president Robert Redford, will feature eight screens, approximately 1,300 seats and is scheduled to open in the spring of 2014. This will be the fifth Sundance Cinema in the country and the first one on the east coast. Richardson described the complex as a medium sized theater geared towards "grownups" that will complement the area well.
Theres like a hole in the marketplace right now, he said. Its really a perfect spot for me to fit in, particularly with what were doing because you dont need any more monster-plexes, you have those.
The cinema will feature hybrid programming ranging from the top Hollywood movies to smaller independent art films, according to Richardson.
Martin Berger, principal of Saber Real Estate Advisors, the developer of Rivertowns Square, said the group is also close to finalizing a deal with a 120 room branded hotel that will be announced soon.
Im glad were able to bring back to life the property thats been sitting vacant unused for many, many years, he said. This is just one more example of how Dobbs Ferry and Westchester beats out Manhattan.
Richardson said hes been looking for a location in Westchester for a project like this for the past 25 years.
The company really wanted to have a Manhattan presence first then kind of grow out of that, but I convinced everybody this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and its the perfect fit.
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