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Cinema wars heat up: Luxury movie theater wants to take over the vacant Books-A-Million spot

Houston's movie theater scene has recently seen something of an arms race to fill an entertainment void, with Florida-based iPic Entertainment signing a lease in the forthcoming River Oaks District development and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema headed for North Montrose for one new location and real estate shopping in Midtown for another.

Now, a well-connected source tells CultureMap that iPic is "seriously looking at" the spot in the Houston Pavilions that was recently abandoned by Books-A-Million.

Midway Companies, owner of the Pavilions, did not immediately return a request for comment, but had indicated in a statement in December that the historically hapless development looks forward "to bringing additional entertainment, dining and shopping options to downtown Houston in the coming year."

A movie theater in the spot — especially one that promises "iconic design and contemporary luxury" and offers chef-prepared cuisine and an exclusive bar — would round out the Pavilions' draw as an entertainment hotspot, alongside Lucky Strike Lanes, Pete's Dueling Piano Bar, House of Blues and Scott Gertner's.

Is Houston's movie market becoming oversaturated? Would a(nother) luxury cinema bring you downtown after dark?

A source tells CultureMap that iPic Entertainment, a Florida-based company know for its luxury movie theaters, is "seriously looking at" the spot.

Photo courtesy of PRNewsFoto iPic Entertainment

A source tells CultureMap that iPic Entertainment, a Florida-based company know for its luxury movie theaters, is "seriously looking at" the spot.

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The Starling shall rise

Houston developer reveals first details of transformative Montrose project

Starling Mixed-Use Development in Montrose

Courtesy of Skanska

A new mixed-use development is slated for Montrose, and will include 30,000 square feet of retail space.

Starling, a new mixed-use development featuring multifamily living and retail, is slated to rise in Montrose at the southwest corner of Westheimer Road and Montrose Boulevard. Colliers is leading the pre-leasing of the 30,000-square-foot retail portion on behalf of Skanska USA Commercial Development.

“We are seeking a mix of services, including food and beverage tenants, that we believe will complement the Montrose and Lower Westheimer neighborhoods,” a Colliers representative told CultureMap via email.

Notably, no timeline has been set for when construction will begin.

Skanska purchased the nearly three-acre property in 2020 for $27 million, razing a former shopping center that housed retailers such as Spec’s, Half Price Books, and Kroger. Since then, Montrose Live has set up shop on the lot, bringing food trucks, vendors, live music, and events to the area.

Once Starling's construction start date is finalized, Skanska will work with Montrose Live creator and operator Jessica Ivins to determine the future of the open-air market

But while Houstonians may have to wait an undetermined time for Starling to rise, Skanska has plans to grow Montrose Live in 2025.

The first step will be growing Container Galleries, where shipping containers have been transformed into pop-up spaces for local artists and vendors. Floral design studio Sunbi Studio and resale shop Trusted Kicks are current tenants, with plans to add a coffee shop, record store, bookstore, farm stand, artist spaces, and an information booth. Even without the expansion, Montrose Live is a destination with food trucks such as HoustatlantaVegan, Yummy’s Hot Chicken, and Just Smash, along with a four-tent shop collective featuring environmentally sustainable products.

The growth of Montrose Live and the future Starling align with other development efforts in the area, namely Radom Capital’s announcement to redevelop the historic Tower Theater and its adjacent buildings at 1111 Westheimer and the Montrose Collective development that includes restaurants such as Uchi, Marmo, and Okto.

Courtesy of Skanska

A new mixed-use development is slated for Montrose, and will include 30,000 square feet of retail space.