The ArcLight Hollywood and Cinerama Dome in Hollywood is one step closer to showing movies again after a conditional use permit to serve alcohol was approved. However, the Dome’s owner, Dome Center LLC, did not provide a timeline for reopening at Tuesday’s public hearing.
The City of Los Angeles Zoning Board held a public hearing to consider a conditional use permit for the provision of alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption and operating hours from 7 a.m. to 4 a.m. daily. The permit will be valid for three years and will relate to the entire operation of the theater complex, which consists of a Cinerama Dome theater, 14 auditorium theaters and a restaurant-café with two outdoor dining terraces.
“This is an old property and they are very committed to redeveloping the site,” said Elizabeth Petersen Gower, who is working with the owners of the theater complex known as the Dome Center, LLC Robinson Property Group.
On behalf of Dome Center LLC, Petersen Gower was seeking approval for the lawsuit “to ensure the future reopening of Cinerama Dome and the Dome Theater Complex.”
Petersen Gower did not provide a timeline for when the iconic landmark would open. When asked if he had any plans for the dome to reopen, he answered, “I haven’t decided on a schedule yet, but I’ll let you know when it’s decided.”
Theaters have been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the ArcLight and Cinerama Dome remain boarded up even as interior renovations are underway. Work on the complex has continued since the Blue Note Jazz Club opened in the same Sunset Boulevard development.
Petersen-Gower reiterated that the Cinerama Dome is a historic building and confirmed that it and the other theaters “are not scheduled to be demolished.”
Petersen-Gower also discussed the possibility of bringing premiere screenings back to the venue in the future. She said, “We’ve had a lot of movie grand openings here in the past. There will be specific events and parties focused on theater and music. They’re coordinating premieres with other properties. I’m sure they’re going to do some collaborations with talent at the Blue Note.”
During the conference call, Los Angeles City Council District 13 Deputy Planning Director Ted Walker was among those who expressed support for Cinerama Dome. He said, “The Cinerama Dome is a historical and cultural monument of Los Angeles.” He talked about how many buildings in the city are vacant. “We are very supportive of everything we do to get this situation back. We know there is a lot of love for the Cinerama Dome, and we want to salute the work of all the community members who champion it. We believe that reopening these operations will further energize Hollywood.”
Constantine Anthony, a Burbank City Council member and former Cinerama Dome usher, added, “I’m so excited to see this change. Anything we can do to preserve the historic buildings of the City of Los Angeles would be great.”
Many participants called for “bringing Hollywood back” and emphasized their support for the permit to be granted on the condition that Dome Center LLC propose a schedule for a reopening date. “People want to come together and help this place and take it back,” one caller said.
Mr. Petersen-Gower spoke about the success of the Blue Note Jazz Club. She said, “Blue Note Entertainment opened in 2025 at the property. They are doing very well and are happy to be in Hollywood. They are booking some of the best jazz artists in the world. They are also developing talent for young local artists at the property.” She further added, “They really brought the music industry, especially the jazz industry, to Hollywood in a very important way.”
