Loews Plans Major Upgrade of Theater in Danbury

DANBURY, CT-The Loews Cineplex in Danbury will get a major upgrade beginning in a few months. The facility at 104 International Dr. here will be expanded and renovated to a deluxe 16-screen, all stadium-style megaplex with added concessions. Construction is expected to start in the spring of 2005. The theatre, which now offers 10 screens, will remain open for business during construction, company officials say.

Travis Reid, chief executive officer of New York City-based Loews Cineplex Entertainment, says, "The planned expansion and renovation reaffirms Loews' commitment to bring our patrons the best possible movie-going experience with state of the art technology in world-class theaters."

The renovated megaplex will be the largest and most modern theatre in northern Fairfield County, Loews officials note. Plans call for six full stadium screens to be added to the existing 10 screens, which will all be extensively retrofitted and converted to stadium configuration. All 16 theaters and 4,000 seats will feature wall-to-wall curved screens, digital sound, high back seats, private party rooms and advance ticketing. The plan also calls for renovations to the lobby and additional restroom facilities.

"With the additional screens, the fabulous renovation of the existing theaters, and the addition of several hundred well-located parking spaces, we anticipate that this state-of-the-art entertainment facility will attract patrons from all over the region," adds Stephen Hoffman, a partner in Danbury Investment Co., the owner of the land on which Loews sits.

In addition to the theater renovations, access to the site will be improved and the entire parking lot will be reconfigured, Loews officials say. Near the theatre, a new shopping center is currently being developed by Eagle Road Center LLC, which will include a 46,000-sf Best Buy, a 140,000-sf Lowe's Home Improvement center and additional ancillary retail of approximately 20,000 sf.