Market Arcade Theater

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Photo credit: David Torke, fixBuffalo, and Mark Paradowski

Location

628 Washington Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Google Bird's Eye View
Ellicott Council District
SBL: 111.38-4-6.12
Erie County Property Info
County Tax Map (loads GIS page)
City of Buffalo Parcel Viewer

Now listed as part of the parcel at 639 Main Street
Adjacent to: 634 Washington Street
Across from: Chippewa Market and St. Michael's Church

Owner

BUFFALO URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY C per propertyviewer

Physical Description

The Market Arcade Cinema Complex consists of three components located at 639 Main Street, 628 Washington Street, and 634 Washington Street. The cinemas include eight auditoriums with 1,842 seats in 33,000 sq.ft. of space. The Main Street side has a theater entrance and a two story commercial building.

Current Condition

History

  • 1987 - General Cinema Theaters operated the eight-screen complex
  • 1998 - General Cinema did not renew its lease and left
  • 1999 - Short stint with the Angelika Film Center
  • 2000 - Dipson Theatres was brought on
Buffalo Rising

Recent Events and Actions Taken

  • Part of the Dipson Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre along with 634 Washington Street
  • December 2013 - Concern has risen that the movie theater could be reduced to older and independent movies or close due to the impending cost of a switch to digital projectors and other needed improvements
  • March 2014 - YNN/TWC: "Last week, the city issued an RFP to 60 developers for the building that houses the theatre. 'In the RFP, they specify that the theater continue to be a home for Road Less Traveled Productions, for the Buffalo Film Seminars, for the various community groups. I don't know how they can guarantee that once a private sale is made,' said [Bruce] Jackson [vice chairman of the Market Arcade board of directors]."
  • May 2014 - The city received 4 proposals to privatize the Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre. Developer Rocco Termini proposed a $4.5 million project that included a bowling alley addition. The Buffalo News confirmed that Nick Sinatra of Sinatra & Co. Realty and Dr. Gregory F. Daniel, president of Exigence Division of TeamHealth, also submitted proposals.
    • September 2014 - Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) selected The Benchmark Group over other interested buyers, Rocco Termini and Nick Sinatra, for the 3 building complex. Benchmark is planning a $9 million renovation of the complex and will be bringing in AMC Theaters to run it.
  • February 2016 - "Benchmark Group’s Market Arcade Theater LLC purchased the shuttered complex from the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency yesterday for $250,000. Benchmark is planning a $9 million renovation. Also included in the sale is the two-story building housing Bijou Grill at 643 Main Street and a commercial building at 628 Washington Street." Buffalo Rising

Other Pertinent Facts

  • Located in the Theater Historic Preservation District

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Added 2013-08-30 • Last changed 2016-10-14