Atlanta’s iconic Plaza Theatre undergoing $4 million renovation

ATLANTA — An iconic one-of-one is still standing in northeast Atlanta and is about to undergo a $4 million renovation.

The Plaza Theatre, located in the Poncey-Highland community, is the last of more than 100 theatres’ that once stood in Atlanta.

Owner Chris Escobar wants to ensure it will celebrate the past while ensuring history meets the future.

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Escobar says it was during his college days at Georgia State University. He’ll never forget that incredible sense of going back in time.

“Wow! This place is really different. How did I not know about this before? This is incredible,” he said.

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Built back in 1939, it’s the city’s oldest and last single-screen cinema. Longtime patrons say there’s nothing like it.

“It’s got that classic old school movie theatre vibe. It’s not a multiplex chain,” Matt Rowles said.

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Renovations will include the original balcony being split into two 40-seat theatres.

They will retro the concession stand to look like it did back in the 1940s, bring back the ticket booth that was taken out decades ago and show films on the roof. It will be open air with a bar and bathrooms.

Escobar said looking back, he never thought about owning the theatre

“I would have never had any remote prospect as a kid who came from a single parent immigrant family home. Would never imagine that I could own a movie theatre. But pretty amazing things are able to happen in Atlanta,” he said.

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