Montgomery Mall Unveils Video Simulation of ArcLight Cinema, Expanded Food Court
The mall has begun construction, according to a Facebook announcement.
Photos
Westfield Montgomery has released a video simulation of the ArcLight Cinemas and renovated food court planned for the mall.
According to the Facebook page announcement, the mall is now under construction and a renovated dining terrace is expected by late fall 2013, followed by the opening of the 16-screen ArcLight Cinema in spring of 2014.
The video "sneak peak" takes viewers through a simulation of the expanded seating and dining at the food court and the entrance to the cinemas, located on the second level above the eateries. More fast-casual dining similar to Noodles & Co. is planned for the second level near the theater, according to the Facebook announcement.
The California-based theater chain charges a “premium” ticket price – about 20 percent more than conventional theaters – for amenities including reserved seating, commercial-free movies, gourmet food, and special events with filmmakers.
"This is all happening where the current Food Court is, the ceiling is being raised. The ArcLight theater will go on top of the existing Food Court parking garage and expand over the current driveway leading up to the Food Court," mall representatives wrote via Facebook. "With the expansion the Dining Terrace will then expand outward to where the current driveway is to create more seating and dining options."
The current food court and movie theater will remain open during construction, according to the Facebook announcement. Following the opening of the ArcLight Cinema, the current three-screen theater will be converted into retail shops, Patch reported.
Read more via the Westfield Montgomery Facebook page.
What do you think of the visual concept for the renovated food court and ArcLight Cinemas? Tell us in the comments.
Tom Rossing
2:19 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Dear Patch;
Whose bright idea was it to place a vertical banner ad down the right-section of this story's visual element. As if we are not bombarded with enough intrusive, obnoxious ads, you see it appriopriate now to interrupt the actual article we are attempting to read. Perhaps I should just consider reading a tertiary task to spending my dwindling income on all products you shove forward.
MocoLoco
3:30 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Mr. Rossing--that last sentence is a grammatical mish-mash, but do you realize this was simply a mistake in scaling the video to the wrong size. You sound like a bitter, unhappy person. Please don't take it out on Patch. They're nice, local folks.
Brian
9:35 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Moco, you have to admit, the ad banner is annoying and, quite frankly, it persuaded me not to watch the video.
WV
8:49 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Interesting it looks as if not one person of color will shop at this mall. Great way to go on the simulation. Bunch of idiots.
Tracy H
12:55 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
I noticed that there also were no kids, nor anyone older than 40. I think that they want to emphasize that this will be a very hip place to hang out.
Bottom line, I am glad that there will be this improvement and I am looking forward to even more over the next several years.
Brigitta Mullican
10:19 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
The video is cool, the side ads annoying. Do any women wear dresses any more? I guess only in formal settings. We all notice something different. The plan gives a great improvement to the food court.
Richard Rice
1:06 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
I see nothing wrong with the video. I really feel it is quite well done and
stylized. Thank you Patch for this piece of video. You folks do a great job
and I might very well go to Moontgomery Mall to see this!
Erin Donaghue
1:08 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
Hi all -- the video streaming issue has been fixed. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Lily
1:22 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
I only see white people in the video. That may seem acceptable/desirable to some white people but I don't think it is to all the people of color who spend a lot of money there.
Terrell McLarson
1:52 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Interesting, I'm a person of color and I'm not offended. Hell, I didn't even notice - I guess I was too busy looking at the beautiful renovation, rather than counting the number of people with different colored skin, and looking for something to criticize about the video. I guess if you view life through that lens, you'll always find what you're looking for.
Carlos D
1:53 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Simulation video by Westfield Montgomery Mall has absolutely no person of color shopping or eating. This is completely disgraceful and totally unacceptable. Westfield should be called on this and this simulation video has to be revised to correct this egregious omission.
Terrell McLarson
2:01 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Carlos, there are also no kids in the video. The mall is usually crowded with kids/teenagers. Big deal? It's a computer generated simulation made to highlight the architecture and remodeling. Maybe it's a limitation of the computer program...or maybe some people need to turn down their sensitivity meter.
Signed,
A person of color.
Carlos D
2:46 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Terrell, it is a big deal. We, specially in our DC Metro region are a diversified community and the video should represent that. As a person of color you should be keenly aware of this. Sadly many people in this country are simply not aware of this or even worse consciously or unconsciously support sexism and racism. Yes, friend, it is a big deal
Terrell McLarson
2:05 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013
Carlos,
Again, it's a computer generated video about the REMODELING and ARCHITECTURE of the mall. Not about who's wearing what, how many male vs. female vs. child vs. big vs. small vs. black, white, yellow, red, etc. are represented in the computer generated graphic. In many respects, it would have been better to not even use fake computer generated cartoon people in the video at all.
What I've learned over the years is that you have to pick your battles wisely. And there's an old saying that you collect more bees with honey than with vinegar. I agree with you about the social challenges in this country, but don't get so caught up in the trees that you miss the forest. We DO live in an extremely diverse community, and the new construction and remodeling looks beautiful and will attract people from all walks of life. Negativity and vitriol will not solve racism, sexism, etc., and the majority of the comments on this page highlight bigger problems with our community - negativity, rudeness, and selfishness. We have become so conditioned to viewing the world with a negative lens, that we don't see the good and always focus on "what's wrong" with the world. People need to be more kind to one another, RIGHT HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY. That is what plagues us much more than anything. Positivity and love is the only way to conquer the social ills in our country. Peace be with you brother,
Terrell.
Lily
3:32 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Terrell, A certain type of simulated people were in the video - must have been meant to communicate something - Ad people are not stupid. Please don't lecture others, based on your personal preferences, about what issues they should or should not find worthwhile. I don't think ignoring injustice is positive and loving, it is foolish.
dcr20854
9:02 am on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
I'm not a minority person, but just for me, I'd prefer that the people in the video look like the healthy mix of people from all backgrounds, of all ages, that I see and participate in at Montgomery Mall--that makes me proud to live in Montgomery County. I also don't think it's a non-issue because of the simulation--heck, the simulation could easily have a few Asians and African-Americans and Hispanics. And it should! Not to mention teenagers.