UA Closed | Opened in 1985, the first IMAX theater was the first to be filed for rent and changed hands

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Written by: Kong Fanxu

2021-03-08 15:20

The last update date: 2021-03-08 15:20

The 36-year-old UA Cinemas announced today (8th) the closure. As one of the large-scale cinemas in Hong Kong, it had theaters in various districts in Hong Kong during its heyday. In 1985, the first American cinema "UA6" was opened in Shatin New Town Plaza. Later, it expanded to the landmark Times Square in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong International Airport, Taikoo Shing, Whampoa Garden, etc.

In 2007, UA opened the first IMAX theater in Hong Kong. It coincided with the filming of "Batman: The God of the Night" that was filmed in Hong Kong that year. IMAX became a popular movie theater for movie fans.

With the downturn in the film industry in recent years, UA has begun to close its theater line business. The symbolic "UA6" closed in 2018. Last year, a real estate agent filed for rent chase from UA. Some theaters have closed or changed hands. Art House last opened on the 28th of last month. However, due to the closure of K11 MUSEA due to the new crown epidemic, the planned farewell event ended silently. The original site has been leased by MCL held by businessman Lin Jianyue.

In July 2006, there were 6 theaters in UA Sha Tin before reconstruction.

(Wikimedia Commons)

UA Cinemas was founded in 1985 by Ira Dan Kaye, an American Jew. The first cinema "UA6" is located in the first phase of Shatin New Town Plaza. At the beginning, there were 6 theaters, and then expanded to 10 theaters. It is Hong Kong. The first American-style multi-hall mini theater.

In the 1990s, the film industry developed vigorously. UA pioneered telephone and online ticket purchases in 1995 and 1997. In 2001, it introduced VIP cinemas and established Director's Club in Cityplaza.

UA Cinemas Partial List of Transfers

The introduction of IMAX is all the rage

In 2007, UA MegaBox opened. It was the first theater in Hong Kong with an IMAX giant screen. It coincided with the scene of "Batman: The God of Night" that was painted in Hong Kong, and watching movies at UA MegaBox became a craze for a while.

In the same year, UA wanted to transform the Sha Tin New Town Plaza into a theater that combines IMAX and ordinary theaters. However, during the demolition and reconstruction due to land lease issues, the project was put on hold for nearly 10 years, and finally the theater line was changed hands in 2018.

In 2008, UA opened the second IMAX theater in iSQUARE in Tsim Sha Tsui International Plaza. It won the title of "World's Highest Box Office Theater" with the IMAX 3D version of "Avatar". In 2015, it became the world's highest average single screen theater in IMAX.

On March 8, UA Cinema announced the closure of all theaters.

(Photo by Liang Pengwei)

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Lost to expensive rent and lost to Times Square

UA has been operating in Hong Kong for many years and has set up theaters in various districts in Hong Kong. However, as the film industry slump after the millennium, UA lost to the expensive rent. In 2012, the UA Times Square Cinema, which was opened for 18 years, was relocated to The high-rise and reduced the theater hall, the original site is occupied by a brand-name handbag shop.

UA held a farewell event for a full-day movie ticket of 18 yuan that year, and many fans held a commemorative event after closing the gate at night.

In 2015, UA's Royal Theater closed down due to the expiration of the lease. In 2016, due to the Citygate shopping mall redevelopment plan, UA Citygate officially closed down, ending its 16-year operating career.

In 2017, UA Cityplaza closed its operations and was operated by MOVIE MOVIE, a subsidiary of Broadway Cinemas; the UA Cinemas in Tuen Mun Town Plaza was transferred to the new brand stagE of Golden Harvest.

Filed for rent chase last year

Last year, Hang Lung's Amoy Shopping Center successively filed a lawsuit against the entertainment company affiliated to UA Cinemas for 1.37 million yuan in rent.

Times Square, a subsidiary of Wharf, also filed a claim for 1.91 million yuan from the tenant UA Cinema.

The K11 Art House closed on the 28th of last month and was operated by MCL.

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