If plans from American A-listers Timberlake and Woods are accepted, what St Andrews’ famed New Picture House Cinema might look like has been unveiled through CGI films, photographs, and a brand-new website.
They suggest keeping the movie theater, adding more screens, and maintaining the building’s listed exterior.
The 94-year-old New Picture House will be transformed into a premier sports and entertainment venue by Nexus Luxury Collection, which has Woods and Timberlake as shareholders. The company announced plans to open their second T-Squared Social venture in the university town last October. They currently operate in New York.
More than 12,300 people signed an online petition opposing the change in response to the community’s outcry. To allow the community to see the “new, enhanced proposals,” New Picture House and T-Squared Social have now jointly released fresh footage, pictures, and a website.
How the ancient picture house at St Andrews might be furnished inside the complex (Pic: Submitted)
How the ancient picture house at St Andrews might be furnished inside the complex (Pic: Submitted)
“Two out of three screens, including the main auditorium, are to be retained as part of T-Squared Social’s proposals for the cinema, which will maintain the same New Picture House name,” a T-Squared Social statement said in response to community input.
The updated plans state that in order to “improve the viewing experience,” Cinema 3 will be “maintained in its present form” with upgrades made to the seating and electronics.
In place of the current seating in Cinema 2, there will be cozy seating groups that encourage socializing and an area for electronic darts. In addition to showing movies on its big screen, the main theater will also serve as a multipurpose area with a variety of sports simulators, such as those for football, rugby, golf, and lacrosse. According to the developers, this seating will be “entirely flexible.” Though it will be a “multi-functional” area, during a movie screening, the lights will go down and other activities will be put on hold to let viewers watch a silent film in the comfort of their own home.
The updated plans also pledge to preserve the auditorium’s unique character by keeping the current walls, ceiling, and stage elements.
As part of a significant development, the historic St Andrews theater is getting a makeover. (Image: Provided)
As part of a significant development, the historic St Andrews theater is getting a makeover. (Image: Provided)
According to the statement, the beloved upper level of the theater will remain intact, with more than 300 seats reserved for moviegoers, in response to public demand.
The builders added, “Any renovations and enhancements will be made to the interior, not the exterior, preserving and celebrating the building, including the name above the door.” They also stated that “much of the New Picture House” will stay the same.
“We have listened to the residents of St. Andrews and are delighted to be announcing our intention to increase the number of screens, including retaining the main auditorium,” stated Christopher Anand, managing partner of T-Squared Social. Our new entertainment idea, which will be located next to the theater, will guarantee that the town will continue to provide film entertainment both now and in the future.
“In addition, the development will deliver a significant economic investment in the town,” he said, adding that 40–50 employees would be hired, up from the existing 10, with the option to stay with the new venture.
Managing director of New Picture House David Morris will remain to oversee the move to the new business.
“T-Squared’s intervention not only enables the town to maintain a cinema offering, but also the building itself,” he stated. We thought that this was the best company to protect the things we have worked so hard to build over the past almost a century, so we did not make this decision lightly.
Prior to this, Mr. Morris emphasized that the theater “cannot continue” in its current state, with less than 10% of its seats occupied.
According to a T-Squared Social press release, North East Fife’s MP Wendy Chamberlain encouraged the community to watch the movie “to find out more about what is being proposed.”
“We urge local people to view our website, which has a video on our proposals highlighting our proposals,” Mr. Anand stated. “If they have any questions, they can get in touch with us.”
The developers said they will soon submit a planning application to Fife Council. T-Squared Social at New Picture House is scheduled to open in the spring of 2025, assuming approval.