Linda Lea to Reopen this Summer?

By Eric Richardson
Published: Thursday, February 16, 2006, at 11:23AM

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Today's LA Times Calendar section runs a piece on the renovation of the Linda Lea Theater on Main Street. It names the Linda Lea's previously unnamed buyer as Cinema Properties Group and claims work could be done by the end of summer.

ImaginAsian Entertainment -- a multimedia entertainment company that promotes Asian Pacific American culture to broader audiences and launched the 24-hour ImaginAsian TV network in Los Angeles in October -- has partnered with Costa Mesa-based developer Cinema Properties Group to launch the estimated $2-million renovation. Renovation of the 1920s property, at 251 S. Main St., is expected to be completed this summer.

Although the design is not complete, the center will include a 300-seat theater with a balcony and the ImaginAsian Cafe. Among the center's offerings will be small karaoke rooms that can accommodate up to 10 people for patrons to use before or after attending a movie or other event.

I would tend to think that summer date is a bit optimistic, but it's not entirely out of the ballpark. The renovation of the Linda Lea, as well as Tom Gilmore's re-opening of the Regent Theater and St. Vibiana's, will provide some much-needed life on Main Street.

Comments

Scott Mercer writes:

What? Gilmore's bringing the Regent back on line? First I hear about that. Any more details? Really cool!!

# on Feb.16.2006 AT 04:19 PM

Eric Richardson writes:

I feel like I read more about this recently, but here's a little bit from the Garment & Citizen:

Downtown developer Tom Gilmore has signed a lease agreement for the Regent Theater on the 400 block of S. Main Street, with hopes of turning the long-vacant venue into a place for small concerts and special events. Gilmore said he expects it will take about a year of renovation work before the place is ready to host any performances, adding that final plans will likely include somewhere between 375 and 475 seats.

# on Feb.16.2006 AT 08:08 PM

someonewalksinla writes:

We can hope that the new Little Tokyo Library (very close by) can find it useful for readings or screenings.

# on Feb.16.2006 AT 08:54 PM

Brady Westwater writes:

Within two years, Main Street will have six theaters on it between the Plaza and Fifth Street.

# on Feb.17.2006 AT 08:37 PM