Last year, the team behind the local movie theater and non-profit — a gathering spot that’s been in the community for more than 50 years — announced that a few upgrades were in the works.
This week, the Loft announced the public phase of its $4 million “Campaign for the Loft Cinema,” which will fund the renovation and secure the art house’s legacy.
The campaign launch is lined up with the official groundbreaking of the expansion taking place on Friday, July 19 at 9 a.m. Everyone’s invited to attend and support the “beginning of an exciting next chapter in the life of this iconic Tucson institution.”
“This campaign is the largest initiative ever undertaken by The Loft Cinema,” said Ron Barber, Board President and Campaign Chair for the Loft. “We have experienced tremendous support to get us halfway to the $4 Million goal, and by launching the public phase of the campaign in conjunction with the groundbreaking, the community at large can now leave their stamp on The Loft Cinema for years to come.
As mentioned earlier, the campaign was launched in 2023 with funding secured to ensure the scheduled groundbreaking this summer. The campus transformation began on Monday, July 8, with a target completion date of summer 2025.
“I am thrilled to share our plans and invite everyone to partner with us to elevate The Loft Cinema into a state-of-the-art Art House,” said Barber.
Upgrades and Additions
New Lobby Space
The new heart of The Loft, where moviegoers gather with seamless access to the whole campus, including screens, concessions, and restrooms.
Contemporary Viewing and Gathering Experience
A new indoor fourth screen will offer flexible seating with a mix of luxury loungers, sofas, and beanbags. A permanent open-air theater along with a rooftop bar and a renovated Screen Two will offer more luxury seating.
New Restrooms, Doors & Theaters
An elevator to the second floor will provide access to the rooftop bar and Screen Two, and all doors will have automatic openers.
Re-imagined Concessions
A new menu emphasizing locally sourced food, beverages, and wine. There will be minimal wait times and plenty of space to get your fare and get to your movie.
“We are excited to break ground on our new campus and simultaneously publicly launch our campaign,” said Peggy Johnson, Executive Director and visionary for more than 20 years at the Loft. “We believe our world-class programs and events deserve a new home.”
So, with the addition of two new screens, the Loft Cinema will be able to offer more films, keep them longer, and add additional showtimes — providing more moviegoing options.
The design team behind The Loft’s renovation includes Vint & Associates Architects, Inc., Rick Engineering, Hess Structural Engineering, KC Mechanical Engineering, EDG West, and TriCord Engineering, with Barker Contracting, Inc. serving as the general contractor.
To show your support for the Loft, make a gift online!
The construction is estimated to be completed by the summer of 2025.
The Loft Cinema is located at 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. For more information, visit loftcinema.org.
Check out our May 2024 article, “A Local Haven for Snacks, Beer, and Film Buffs.”
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
