Newsroom - Press Release

PHOENIX THEATRES WOODLAND MALL ANNOUNCES GRAND OPENING THURSDAY, APRIL 14th

July 27, 2021

Phoenix Theatres, a Michigan based movie theatre chain, announces that the Grand Opening of Phoenix Theatres at Woodland Mall is slated for Thursday, April 14th. For the first time ever, the new theatre will provide the greater Grand Rapids community, premium cinema amenities including Christie 4k Digital Projection and Dolby ATMOS auditoriums, with fully reclining heated seats, for every guest in every auditorium throughout the theatre.

"Heated reclining seating has become a customer favorite and a signature amenity in all Phoenix Theatres," said Cory Jacobson, owner of Phoenix Theatres. "When we discovered several years ago the newest feature available was heated seats, we thought this would make the experience even more comfortable and perfect to warm everyone up on a chilly day or even in the middle of summer."

Jordan Hohman, Executive in Charge of Project Development for Phoenix Theatres added: "We wanted to do something truly spectacular in Grand Rapids and enhance the cinema experience to a new level. Each auditorium will feature Dolby 7.1 digital sound and loudspeaker systems, and presented for the first time in West Michigan, we will be introducing Dolby ATMOS, the latest innovation in immersive sound technology.

"Dolby's ATMOS process brings the next evolution in sound to the cinema, as each auditorium becomes a three-dimensional soundscape that envelops the audience in a truly immersive audio experience. Combining Dolby ATMOS with Christie's 4K Digital Cinema projection and newly developed micro-perforated screens will provide the viewer with the clearest possible picture and the most immersive movie-going experience you can find."

Jacobson indicated that his Phoenix Theatres group has, "always strived for finding unique ways to give our theatres character. Movie theatres in the past were synonymous with big jazzy marquee signs, adding an element of showmanship to movie-going. Our new theatre at Woodland Mall needed to develop a character all its own."

So, in taking inspiration from the Chicago Theatre's iconic blade vertical sign, Woodland's newly designed vertical sign captures the classic theme and excitement of a sign built in 1928, adding a new sense of flare rarely found in modern theatre signage.

Building on the classic theatre theme, local historian Michael Hauser curated a collection of historical photographs and memorabilia from classic theatres in the West Michigan area. Over 30 photographs spanning over 8 decades of movie-going create a unique historical gallery in Phoenix Woodland's promenade hall. Each theatre auditorium has also been given the name of a classic theatre in West Michigan to bring a slice of history back for a new generation of film goers to appreciate and pay homage to the history of movie-going.

"We are pleased to welcome Phoenix Theatres to Kentwood and celebrate its grand opening at Woodland Mall," Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said. "The addition of Phoenix Theatres joins the premium commercial brands who call Kentwood home. It is a testament to the fact our city continues to be a desired destination for commercial, manufacturing, and residential development. Kentwood is open for business"

Vince Vizza, Vice President Real Estate Leasing at PREIT, echoed a similar position.

"This new theatre, with unmatched amenities, represents an upgrade akin to the upgrade the mall tenancy underwent as we continue our pursuit of creating a regional destination experience," he said. "Phoenix Theatres joins other top-tier experiences from The Cheesecake Factory and Black Rock Bar & Grill and a tremendous existing retail lineup which includes Sephora, Lush, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Von Maur, Urban Outfitters, Altar'd State and Apple. The property continues to attract new and exciting tenants and impressive traffic and sales in a discerning market."

Phoenix Theatres at Woodland Mall will hold a Ribbon Cutting with the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, April 13th at 6:00pm. Representatives of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce will also participate in the event. The theatre will officially open to the public on Thursday, April 14th for the opening of "Fantastic Beasts – The Secrets of Dumbledore" presented in Dolby ATMOS, "Sonic the Hedgehog 2," "Father Stu," "Ambulance," Marvel's "Morbius," "The Lost City," and "The Batman."

Background:

The Michigan based Phoenix Theatres opened its first Detroit-area theatre in 2001 and currently operates 7 theatres, with the introduction of Northtowne marking their 59th theatre screen.