PHOENIX THEATRES

Background & Adaptive Reuse of Existing Space

• The new Phoenix Theatres location occupies the former Regal Cinemas Great Northern Mall Stadium 10 & RPX — which closed in January 2023.

• On January 23, 2024, the mall and city announced that Phoenix Theatres had signed a long‑term lease and committed to a major renovation of the 43,955‑square-foot theatre space.

• Rather than building from scratch, Phoenix leveraged the existing structure — accelerating their timeline and reducing the complexity and cost often associated with developing a new facility. This adaptive reuse allowed them to focus on upgrading the experience (seating, sound, projection) rather than basic infrastructure.

Why Phoenix Chose North Olmsted / Great Northern Mall

• The company cited the “vibrancy of the mall and the exceptional mix of retail” as a key factor. After evaluating the city and community, they felt “very much at home in the culture of the community.”

• From the city’s side, local leadership embraced the move: bringing movies back to Great Northern Mall aligned with efforts to maintain the mall as a thriving center of commerce and community.

• The decision represents a strategic alignment: a growing demand for entertainment + an under‑utilized facility + a community and municipality supportive of revitalization.

What Makes Phoenix Theatres at Great Northern Special

• Premium Amenities & Experience: Each of the 10 auditoriums features heated, fully reclining loveseat‑style seats with generous leg room.

• State‑of‑the‑Art Sound & Projection: The theatre includes what is branded as “ENCORE,” boasting up to 60‑foot-wide screens (among the largest on Cleveland’s west side) and immersive spatial sound via Dolby ATMOS, paired with 4K Christie digital projection.

• Modern Theater‑goer Convenience: Features include reserved seating via a mobile app or online ticketing, combined ticket and concession lines, and self‑serve drink and butter stations — improving flow and guest experience.

Economic & Community Impact

• Revitalizing Vacant Space: The conversion of a shuttered cinema into a renewed entertainment hub demonstrates how adaptive reuse of existing commercial real estate can drive economic activity without the footprint of new construction.

• Support for Local Economy & Jobs: The reopening created new jobs — the new location added around 50 staff members for its launch.

• Community Engagement & Quality of Life: Restoring first‑run movies and a modern cinema experience supports community recreation, draws visitors (both local and regional), and contributes to the broader vibrancy of Great Northern Mall and North Olmsted.

• Signal of Confidence: The investment — reportedly about $5 million in renovations — reflects confidence from both the business and civic leaders that North Olmsted is a stable, desirable place for investment.

Why This Matters for Economic Development

Featuring Phoenix Theatres’ reopening at Great Northern Mall offers a clear example of how public-private cooperation — between cinema operators, mall management, and municipal leadership — can successfully repurpose idle retail infrastructure to meet evolving community needs. It underscores the value of adaptive reuse over new builds, reduces waste and cost, and accelerates the timeline to economic activation.

For stakeholders and decision-makers, this spotlight illustrates how supporting entertainment and cultural amenities can strengthen local economies, create jobs, and foster a sense of place — an attractive proposition for future investors, business owners, and developers considering North Olmsted.