The historic Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, closed since the onset of the pandemic, is slated to return to operation under new management. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, a unit of Sony Pictures Entertainment, has been selected to manage the Dome and the adjacent 14-screen movie theater complex at the Dome Entertainment Center.
A leasing team from multiple firms represented the ownership in the transaction. CBRE’s Nicole Mihalka, along with Carl Muhlstein of Muhlstein CRE and Scott Burns and Shauna Mattis of JLL, jointly advised the ownership group of the Dome Entertainment Center. On the tenant side, JLL’s Ken Shishido represented Alamo Drafthouse in securing the lease.
The Cinerama Dome, which originally opened in 1963, is poised for an extensive program of restorative renovations. Work is expected to begin next month and continue through early 2028, with the goal of bringing the venue back into active use while retaining its historic character.
Project plans call for preservation of the Dome’s distinctive identity and exterior presence. The property’s historic legacy and unique moviegoing experience are expected to be carefully protected during the renovation process. The iconic “Cinerama” name and exterior branding will remain in place as part of the repositioning, underscoring the property’s longstanding role as a cultural landmark.
In addition to the Dome itself, the surrounding 14-screen complex, previously operated by ArcLight Cinemas, will be relaunched as an Alamo Drafthouse dine-in cinema. Under the new concept, Alamo Drafthouse will bring its branded moviegoing and food-and-beverage offering to the larger complex while the Dome continues to anchor the entertainment-focused property.
Commenting on the lease signing, Mihalka described the agreement as the start of a new phase for one of Hollywood’s best-known properties. She noted that the Cinerama Dome has served as a cultural touchstone for generations of moviegoers and characterized the involvement of Sony Pictures Entertainment and Alamo Drafthouse at the Dome Entertainment Center as a vote of confidence in the future of theatrical exhibition and in continued demand for shared, in-person movie experiences.
