CityCentre’s movie theater is under new management. Star Cinema Grill will now operate the theater that had belonged to Studio Movie Grill.
Part of Culinary Khancepts, the local hospitality group behind State Fare, Liberty Kitchen, and the renovations currently underway at the historic River Oaks Theatre, the CityCentre location will be the 10th location of Star Cinema Grill. The location is currently closed but should reopen no later than April 18, according to a release.
"We are incredibly excited," Omar Khan, president of Culinary Khancepts, said in a statement. "Our luxury cinema brand perfectly complements the exceptional atmosphere of CityCentre. Houston is our hometown, and we are committed to delivering the ultimate dining and cinematic experience for all our guests for years to come.”
The theater will receive a host of upgrades as part of its change in ownership. Plans include the installation of a new Dolby sound system and laser projectors. Changes to the seating include the installation of heat recliners, privacy pods, and seat massagers. Star Cinema Grill expects to complete all of the renovations by November.
A rendering previews the changes coming to CityCentre.Courtesy of Star Cinema Grill
“The theater will get a top to bottom update where no detail will be overlooked. We want to ensure Star Cinema Grill CityCentre provides the best cinema dining experience in the city,” Khan added.
Studio Movie Grill operated at CityCentre for 15 years. Primarily based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the company still operates a theater in Pearland and could look for additional locations in the Houston area.
“Leaving this location was bittersweet, but a future within CityCentre wasn't in the cards," Studio Movie Grill CEO Ted Croft said. “We extend a heartfelt thank you to our CityCentre neighbors for 15 wonderful years of ‘Eat. Drink. Movies’ and to Star Cinema Grill for collaborating with us to offer new opportunities to our cherished team members. We remain committed to finding new locations and maintaining our presence in the Greater Houston area.”
Operating at CityCentre is only one of Culinary Khancepts' current projects. Renovations at the River Oaks Theatre are ongoing, with an eye on reopening later this year. The company will also open Leo’s River Oaks, an upscale steak and seafood restaurant, next to the movie theater.
