Village (also known as the UA 1-2-3)
1561 West Sunflower, Santa Ana, CA. 92704
(714) 557 – 5703
Specifications
Operators: UA/Edwards/Regency
Status: Open
Opened: 12/22/71
Closed: NA
Current Use: Film/Art
Screens: 3
Seating: Slope
Profile
Opened in 1971, by United Artists, the Village operated as a first run venue, until being taken over by Edwards and converted in to an art/independent/revival house in the early 80’s. The Village operated successfully, in tandem with the neighboring South Coast Plaza theatres, until Edwards’ bankruptcy and subsequent purchase by Regal Entertainment Group. Under REG, the theatre was neglected and allowed to fall in to disrepair, as the company’s focus was directed towards the nearby, first run, Metro Pointe venue. Closed in January of 2007, the Village was quickly picked up by Regency Theatres, remodeled, and reopened in March 2007.
Located directly across the street from South Coast Plaza (facing Nordstroms), the theatre has a no frills, purely functional, layout. A large auditorium (formerly 500+ seats, but slightly less after the remodel) on one side, two smaller auditoriums on the other. The small lobby is divided by a peninsula style concession stand, that doubles as the venue’s box office. Following the remodel, lounge furniture was added to the lobby and the decor was upgraded, to reflect a more upscale movie going experience. While thoroughly updated and modern in public areas, the back room areas of the theatre remain relatively unchanged and include “artifacts” like UA era carpeting. Keeping true to the theatre’s long standing tradition, the Village continues to operate as an art house, with weekly revival features on Wednesdays.
Images
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1 response so far ↓
1 An Unlikely Survivor At 40 // Dec 31, 2011 at 4:49 am
[…] viewed as one of the more surprising of survival stories, the Santa Ana/South Coast Metro area’s Village Theatre turned forty last week. Opened on December 22, 1971, this modest triplex has managed to outlast all […]