Nov 13, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS -- The corner of Lafayette Road and Georgetown Road on the northwest side of Indianapolis is getting some much-needed life. The long empty Georgetown Cinema building has a new name and entirely new interior. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is set to open on Monday. General Manager Carlos Robles said they've tried to make the business match the identity. The theatre is all about racing and racing films. ”We’re a mile away from the Indianapolis 500 and we wanted to make sure we're themed based on the races and the movie races," Robles said. The outside has been painted with popular scenes from racing films by a local artist. Inside you'll find a racecar, racing arcade games, Alamo's very own Yard of Bricks and original movie posters from films like 'Winning.' There is even a Ferrari racing simulator ready for moviegoers to take a spin in. ”This actually comes from Italy, from Maranello, where Ferrari is at," said Robles. "The actual Ferrari factory has two of these." The simulator allows you to drive any car, on any track you want. FOX59/CBS4's Eric Graves took it for a spin around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The cockpit vibrates as you drive and the harness straps tighten as you turn around the track. ”You’re going to feel it, which is going to be super cool," Robles said. When it comes to the actual theatre experience, the former Georgetown Cinema has been transformed, right down to the seats people will sit in. The seats are spacious and cushioned, with a fully reclinable option and heat. "Three levels of heat," Robles said. "So, if you think it's cold in the theater, it won't be for long." You can also order food from your seat. Construction crews built a brand new kitchen since the Georgetown Cinema did not have one. The menus are in the tray tables attached, you write your order on a piece of paper and then a server comes by to pick it up. ”We want to be able to serve the food before the movie even starts because we want the movie to be the most protected experience," Robles said. Even the projectors are state-of-the-art. All 13 theatres have new laser projectors from Belgium. The Alamo Drafthouse is the first business to open as part of the Lafayette Square Mall redevelopment. Robles hopes to enhance the area and neighborhoods around it. ”All we're getting is let's bring it all back," Robles said. "Let's bring people back to this area. It's not all about downtown or northside, it's all about the whole city." CEO of Sojos Capital Fabio De La Cruz is the man behind the Lafayette Square Mall redevelopment plan. De La Cruz said the Alamo Drafthouse opening is a part of his phase one plan for the area. Phase two will focus more on the nearly 120 acres of the old mall site. ”We feel we are doing something that is desperately needed, something unique, something colorful," De La Cruz said. The redevelopment of the mall will include new apartments, a boutique hotel, a film studio and more. But, De La Cruz's master plan relies on city and state incentives that are still up in the air. ”[If] we have no incentives, we would have to finish the mall and open the way it is and pretty much have no development and still our numbers are going to be okay," De La Cruz said. "But, the city is going to miss a big opportunity of what we're trying to accomplish to have one of the best neighborhoods in the city." De La Cruz hopes to know by the end of this month if they’re improved for needed incentives. If they are, he said people can expect more activity at Lafayette Square Mall in 2025.
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