Last week I posted a cool stuff feature on the coolest movie theater on the planet - The Alamo Drafthouse, an independently run theater in Austin Texas. That’s not to say that a huge corporate cinema chain couldn’t create a cool movie theater. /Film Reader George J sent me a tip about this cool looking movie theater in Hong Kong.
The AMC Pacific Place Cinema opened on December 9th 2006 in Hong Kong, China. Refurbished by James Law Cybertecture International, Pacific Place Cinema is on the ground floor of the Pacific Place mall in the Queensway district on Hong Kong Island. The space use to be a two auditorium UA Pacific Place Cinema.
The newly designed space houses 6 theaters, featuring a total of 599 seats. Pacific Place is considered “Asia’s most technologically-advanced cinema”, boasting Hong Kong’s best three-way SRD-EX audio system, and incorporating a bunch of never-seen before solutions. For example, the ticketing box office is no longer enclosed in a conventional glass box, but is instead “more akin to modern sculpture or the lobby of a chic boutique hotel, protruding outwards to skilfully incorporate the technology used to issue tickets.” Tickets range from $50HK ($6.42 American) to$75HK ($9.64 American). You can choose your exact seat online when purchasing your ticket.
“Inside, the walls of the Cybertectured cinema comprises sculptural, organic shapes molded together to form a U-shaped corridor, creating a journey of discovery at the entrances of each cinema auditorium. The cinema’s design has been configured so that from the moment patrons arrive, they are transported to a totally new cinematic experience. An aerodynamic ceiling with a metallic coating carries a river-like pattern which is carried throughout the foyer of the cinema. The same pattern is also reflected on the floor featuring thin stainless steel embedded into the floor to give a directional glance for the audiences to the auditorium. Each theatre offers movie goers the ultimate in design and luxury. The auditorium entrance is marked by a scribed number set into the wall that is lit by LED lighting, with all facets of signage reinterpreted as part of the architecture.”
All of the seats are upholstered with sumptuous French leather, measuring 4 feet wide leaving plenty of leg room to spare. The VIP theatre provides seating for 39 and is rented out for intimate corporate receptions and private parties. The largest theater has 142 seats.
The cinema’s refreshment bar offers freshly imported cheeses from England and Denmark, quality olives, a variety of desserts, more than 10 types of mineral water, from Italy, the U.S., France, and Switzerland (available at the specially-designed Aqua Bar).
I have not had the chance to visit the AMC Pacific Place Cinema, but if I’m ever in Hong Kong, I’ll be sure to check it out. More photos available after the jump.
The Lighting effect inside the ladies’ room of the cinema which gives a feel of infinity by the reflection of mirror.
Cool Stuff is a daily feature of slashfilm.com. Know of any geekarific creations or cool products which should be featured on Cool Stuff? E-Mail us at orfilms@gmail.com.
Photos thanks to James Law, yellowsummer, amazprincipal
March 24th, 2008 at 7:06 am
wow, makes me want to move to hong kong!
March 24th, 2008 at 9:32 am
That is frickin cool. When are we arranging a movie blogger trip to Hong Kong?
March 24th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Goosshhh!! this is really awesome. I must feel like I’m watching film at Nebula 18 inside Star Trek Enterprise mothership :D
March 24th, 2008 at 10:27 am
REPRESENT. I’m glad I live in Hong Kong. If any of you stop by, let me know. Another absolutely insanely cool theater to check out is Broadway Cinematheque.
March 24th, 2008 at 10:59 am
The lobby and hallways and whatnot look like Space Mountain.
March 24th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Was this built to curb the piracy problem there?
March 24th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
looks like a more carefully designed version of the upscale karaoke or theme-love hotel experience.
March 24th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Backlit glass walls - Impressive
Euro-cheese in the bar - Impressive
Swanky-ass seats - Impressive
However, why did you almost do a wee-wee when you read that “you can reserve your exact seat online”? YOU CAN DO THAT EVERYWHERE!
Still, pretty tasty cinema.
March 24th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Pater: I live in San Francisco, and none of the theaters offer the option of reserving an exact seat in a movie theater (by this I mean you can reserve the exact seat you want to sit inside the theater online, and the seat you choose is reserved for you). Yes, I have been to the arclight and Landmark in LA, where this has become the norm, but most theaters don’t offer that option.
March 24th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Really?
Here in the UK it’s near enough standard practice, particularly when it’s busy. The cinema chain I work for has this a lot of the time, couple of the other big ones do too.
But fair enough.
March 24th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Peter, you forgot: you can select seats at the Sundance Kabuki now. But yeah, that’s pretty much the only theater here that allows you to do that.
It is weird though, how it’s kind of an American thing to sit wherever you want. Choosing numbered seats is standard practice at movie theaters in Asia and the UK.
By the way, whenever you feel like taking a trip to Hong Kong, bring me along. I grew up there, so I know the city well. :D
March 24th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
ummm…that’s like every other modern theater in asia
March 24th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
I live in HK. I must go check it out.
March 24th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
This is not particularly impressive at all. especially when compared to the drafthouse. I’ve been to neither since I live in the UK, but this seems a standard run of the mill cinema. Sorry.
March 24th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
damn..this is one awesome place..but how much does it cost?
March 24th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Yeah, makes me pretty proud to read the site daily and see the theater that I frequent on your Cool Stuff segement. Cheers to /film.
And trust me when I saw this, Hong Kong is pretty awesome place to live. Though it is not as movie geek friendly as I want. It still is the coolest place to live. (BTW All theater booking systems are like this, So I have never had to line up for a movie as long as I am in HK. I book it at home. Brilliant… I showed up for Star Wars, each time 10mins before the movie started with my popcorn in hand and a fantastic view. You guys gotta visit.
Cheers,
Jon
March 24th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I live in Hong Kong too. Big deal, all hong kong cinemas features high design. First time I went there I hated it because the it is actually quite small. And besides you only see the architecture when you are going into the cinema and for leaving. Not much to shout about. But it is a nice design, I admit. However, there are cinema’s in bangkok, thailand that feature sleeper seats that you can almost lie flat on and they serve food as well! However, I did go to one impressive looking cinema in Bangkok only to find that they has mosquitoes INSIDE the cinema! bitten raw after the movie.
March 24th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
The question is… how much does the popcorn cost?
March 24th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Ultimately, it’s the movie that is showing that makes the experience awesome. But, certainly, the perks such as ambience, comfort and luxurious amenities are bonuses. I like movie theaters where only adults are allowed—they have one in a suburb of Chicago. It has nice leather seats and the waiters bring food such as popcorn (free) or appetizers or a real meal while one enjoys the show for about $17 per ticket. Sometimes, it’s just NICE not to have loud children or adults sitting behind. However, that said, if I ever make it to HK, I will definitely check out that premium theater—the leather seats and extra leg room look awesome!!
March 24th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Last day in HK! On a week long 1st tourist visit. All shopped out and sighseeing done . Been ripped of by a personal guide in Maccau! Fernando’s is Te place to eat portuguese style! That cinema’s a great thing to do on my penuttimate day here. Just have to go check it out now. Wonder what’s playing? Does it matter All I want is a leg roomy awesome experience B4 the cramped long haul flight home to UK! And it’s no day for The peak all hazy ‘n overcast now! bring on the lights. BTW the most impressive visit was to NEVER ENDING STORY by Twaiwan artist Jimmy Lies at TIMES SQUARE CONCOURSE!Jay
March 24th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
I was just in Thailand last week and they have the same types of theaters. Choose your specific seat, stunning interiors, awesome sofa style seating. Major Cineplex was the name of the theater chain. It’s too bad there’s nothing like that here in San Francisco.
March 24th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Cybertecture isn’t a word. And speaking as an architect, the detailing are pretty poor (look at those uncordinated junctions between ceiling fins). Nice concepts, but poor excecution.
March 24th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
I live in Hong Kong, actually quite near Pacific Place and go to this theater regularly. It’s a nice enough theater, and the design is pretty cool, but I never thought of it as all that spectacular. You can reserve your exact seat either online or at the theater touchscreens for any theater in Hong Kong (or most of Asia, for that matter).
Theaters in the US must be pretty depressing for the AMC Pacific Place to get over 700 Diggs!
March 24th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
why is everybody so excited …
its a just a movie theater … right … ???
March 24th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Hahaha, this entry has to be a joke… I lived in Hong Kong over the summer and saw a number of movies at this theater. There is absolutely nothing spectacular about this cinema. The theater itself is TINY, the seats feel like plastic (but they are spacious), the food is as gross as any theater I have been to anywhere else. What the are you talking about the ticketing box office?!??! You just go up to a counter and buy your tickets, just like in any other theater… nothing special about it. And like in any other theater there is an electronic system for purchases as well… Every theater in the US has the same system.
As for good movie theaters… the best I have been to are in Indonesia/India. The seats FULLY recline, you can order your food during the movie and people will bring it to you, the restrooms have attendants, and best of all you are not restricted to the cinema’s selection of food… they will bring you mcdonalds,kfc, burger king, chinese food… there is usually a food court attached to the theater.
The theater is inside a mall, which I think must be one of the most expensive malls in Asia… There are some really upscale shops in this place. Almost next door to the cinema is an amazing American restaurant/bar (Dan Ryan’s?). The only reason I went to this theater every weekend, was so that I would have a chance to eat at this restaurant. If you ever make it to this theater, skip the food inside, and have a meal at this restaurant… the burgers are out of this world, as is the crabcake starter… and the blueberry pie,,, omg.. absolutely incredible. Also, attached to the mall are some VERY upscale hotels (marriot, conrad, shangri-la)… the restaurants in these hotels are very very very very good and very very very very expensive. If you have the chance, the conrad’s bar on the main floor makes great drinks, the marriott has a fantastic chinese restaurant in the basement (or its the marriott with the great drinks and the conrad with the great chinese restaurant…. cant remember)
March 25th, 2008 at 2:51 am
They should add a feature that gives the height of the person assigned to each seat so you can avoid sitting behind a tall dude…but maybe that isn’t a problem in Hong Kong.
March 25th, 2008 at 3:31 am
So… Hmm… Alamo Drafthouse versus Pacific place… Alamo is way cooler. The pre-pick your seat thing is really annoying, you wouldn’t think so, but it is. Although the seats are better than Drafthouse’s. If you are in Hong Kong, check out the theater at Elements Shopping Center- not as snazzy as an entrance, but the seats are better.
March 25th, 2008 at 3:50 am
I agree with you Jonny. Those Elements seats are quite comfortable.
Hong Kong theaters are tiny, cause there is no room. Some might argue if they put less crap in the theater then maybe there would be more room but that is the experience.
I have also been to the Paragon theater in Bangkok and that’s pretty damn nice too. I am not saying Hong Kong is the best. Far from it. I like the Metreon theaters in SF too. Less emphasis on design, but they are still great.
But at the end of the day, I have fun in those theaters. The design doesn’t make it much better, but it helps occassionally.
Cheers,
March 25th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I have to saw that I will never want to go to this cinema again because the seats are so uncomfortable. I am only 180cm tall but the banana-shaped seats are terrible for your back.
I also agreed with Aaron that the food is nothing to write home about and the whole place feels “plasticky” rather than comfortable or luxurious.
March 26th, 2008 at 10:04 am
@Ringtonesdownload - “They should add a feature that gives the height of the person assigned to each seat so you can avoid sitting behind a tall dude…but maybe that isn’t a problem in Hong Kong.”
Yeah, because all Chinese people are short. I mean, you’d never see a Chinese guy playing basketball in the NBA, for example.
March 29th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
The pictures of this movie theater are nice but to check another movie theater, in Cologne, Germany called the Cinedom @ www.cinedom.de
Worth taking a quick look at the site.
I lived there 7 years and it was a pleasure going there.