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The New Mission Theater

 

Regaining its place in San Francisco's vibrant Mission District, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema New Mission survived the threat of demolition and opened its doors December 17, 2015, with a first run of Star Wars: The Force Awakens! Following more than a 12-year hiatus and uncertain future, the theater's return is one welcome, long awaited comeback for San Francisco's cinephiles.

San Franciso's New Mission Theater at 2550 Mission Sreet has been an irreplaceable civic asset, a neighborhood landmark in the Mission, and a reminder of the many movie theaters that once operated on Mission Street. Architecturally, the New Mission Theater is a magnificent work, the equal of the universally beloved Castro Theater in terms of the lavishness of the interior detail in the auditorium. Timothy Pflueger's Art Deco outer lobby is striking, and its "fin" sign a beautiful and rare example for its period. The reuse and reopening of the New Mission Theater as The Alamo Drafthouse at the New Mission is not only a boon to the Mission District, but a benefit for all San Franciscans.

SUMMER 2015

Photos posted in July on the Alamo's website displayed shots of the theater's interior along with with Jacob Zukerman's photos that show the changes. View Alamo Drafthouse Cinema's Flickr photostream. The Alamo's Facebook page has additional updates. San Francisco moviegoers are invited to join the Alamo's Victory loyalty program to be included in the theater's grand opening celebration planned later this year. Per Creative Manager, Mike Keegan: "We've been working tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare for the most epic theater opening to ever hit the Bay Area."

2014

Final building permits approved, Alamo Drafthouse now moves forward with its plans to reopen the historic New Mission Theater as the Alamo Drafthouse at the New Mission in 2015. Per a July 3 update from Alamo's Founder and CEO Tim League:

"The Alamo Drafthouse at the New Mission will have five screens and feature new release movies, independent and classic films and special events. The Alamo Drafthouse at the New Mission will be equipped with Sony 4k Digital, RealD 3D and changeover 35mm projection. In addition to the movies, the Alamo features made-from-scratch food delivered to your seat, a great selection of local beer and wine and craft cocktails."

In addition to 35mm changeover projection, the announcement of Sony 4K Digital capability is indeed a welcome one for cinephiles. With these upgrades, the restored theater is certain to become a unique Bay Area venue with a bright future.

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NOTE: The pictures below show the building in 2006 as it appeared on the day of the Landmarks Board hearing on October 11. The graffiti on display was the result of a rave event held in April 2006. To view photos from 2001 during the Evermax Furniture Occupation, go here.

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PRESS COVERAGE

Peek Inside The Alamo Drafthouse New Mission Theater, Open Next Week — Caleb Persham, SFIst, 12-10-2015

New Kids in Town: Alamo Drafthouse Reopens New Mission Theater — Michael Fox, KQED, 12-08-2015

Old Mission Theater to rise again as gleaming multiplex — Sam Whiting, SF Gate, 05-25-2015

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema To Finally Open This Fall in the Mission — Jay Barmann, SFist, 05-26-2015

Indie movie theater and restaurant Alamo Drafthouse about to break ground in the Mission — Annie Sciacca, San Francisco Business Times, 07-16-2014

The Alamo Drafthouse: Arthouse Movies Coming to You in 2015 — Sherilyn Connelly, SF Weekly, 07-08-2014

Update on New Mission theater — Tim League, Alamo Drafthouse Blog

New Mission Theater gets the thumbs up from the City Planning Commission — Vic Wong, MissionMission.org, 01-11-2013

New "Gangnam Style, Swagger Style" Alamo Drafthouse and Condo Project Approved — Kevin Montgomery, Uptown Alamanc, 01-11-2013

New Mission Theater Project Could Mean Big Changes For Mission Street — Rigoberto Hernandez, Mission Local, 01-10-2013

New Mission Theater Renovation OKd — John Wildermuth, SF Gate, 01-10-2013

Comeback Hopes for the New Mission Theater. — Therese Poletti, Wall St. Journal, 09-05-2012

New Mission Theater Would Regain Glory under Plan — Ellen Huet, SF Gate, 02-18-2012

New Mission Theater May Become A San Francisco Alamo Drafthouse (Unless An Obscure Law Stops It) — Aaron Sankin, Huffington Post, 02-17-2012

Alamo Drafthouse Coming to San Francisco's New Mission Theater — Alex Billington, First Showing Net

New Mission Theater Plan: 5 Screens, 900 Seats — Mission Local, 02-15-2012

New Mission Theater Rehab Inches Forward, With Suds — Philip Ferrato, SF Curbed, 02-15-2012

New Life, Food, And Beer For The New Mission Theater As Proposed — SocketSite, 02-14-2012

New Mission Theater Possibly To Become Five-Screen Alamo Drafthouse Cinema — Jay Barmann, SFist, 02-14-2012

Five-screen movie theater coming to Mission District? — J.K. Dineen, San Francisco Business Times, 02-14-2012

↓ 2011-2006 PRESS COVERAGE