Chris Escobar has major renovation and restoration plans for the historic Plaza Theatre

June 10th, 2022

The Plaza Theatre is undergoing a $4 million restoration and renovation.

Courtesy of the Plaza Theatre

Christopher Escobar has been the owner of the Plaza Theatre since 2017. Last month, he signed a new 25-year lease with plans for a major renovation. Escobar joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes to talk about renovation plans for the theater and how he plans to bring the Plaza into a vibrant new chapter that welcomes Atlanta’s diverse and growing community.

While changes to the theater have been modest thus far in Escobar’s tenure, such as adding a theater organ and modifying the stage to better accommodate their regular “Rocky Horror Live” cast, the next phase for the Plaza will see some grander goals realized. “[It’s] what is probably the most significant investment in the Plaza’s history since it was built, and so we’re talking about, ultimately, a $4 million restoration and renovation and revitalization,” Escobar said.

He continued, “One of the most significant changes will be adding a rooftop patio bar and screen, and the ability to have a permanent outdoor space that will be available to us, no matter the conditions,” Escobar said. In addition to better balancing the Plaza’s checkbook by making it a more attractive all-weather venue, Escobar said the new investments would also help foster the space’s sustainability in conserving energy and improving water usage.

Escobar also explained how his experience bringing the Plaza through its challenging pandemic chapter informed some of its new developments. “It’s no secret that movie theaters were especially hit along with live theaters and museums during COVID, and so the places that had a permanent outdoor space were able to adapt more easily,” he said. “We were lucky enough to get some permission temporarily to do some drive-ins, but that’s not something that’s long-term going to be available to us.”

Another innovation sparked by COVID-era troubleshooting is the Plaza’s new approach to food options. During the Plaza’s temporary drive-in movie screening pivot, they worked with neighboring restaurants to serve their outdoor moviegoers. Now, partner restaurants, including the Righteous Room, Southern Belle and 8ARM’s new venture, Fishmonger, can serve the Plaza’s movie patrons, who can order right from their seats.

In addition to these new features, renovations to protect and enhance the theater’s historic appearance, and better bathrooms and backstage areas, there’s another major update coming: the Plaza’s first elevator. “The Plaza, in its over 80 years, has never had handicap accessibility,” said Escobar. “As a historic theater, we aren’t required to add accessibility. But if we’re trying to serve a hundred percent of the community, there are certain things that there’s not a business case [for]; we’re not going to make our money back from this thing, but we still want to do it.”

The owner shared his pride in maintaining metro Atlanta’s “last historic cinema,” built in 1939. “It is the only one that is still operating as a cinema today, and so doing these things, we’ll ultimately protect the Plaza’s future once and for all,” Escobar said. In tribute to former owners of the Plaza George LaFont, Michael Furlinger, Johnny and Gayle Rej, its new auditoriums will carry their names — the LaFont, the Rej and the Mike.