A first look inside Christchurch's new Hoyts EntX cinema complex
Friday, 21 September 2018
From arriving at the top of the escalator, it's clear Christchurch's new 'flagship' Hoyts EntX cinema is like nothing the city has seen before.
The central city cinema is getting the finishing touches on a multi-million dollar high tech fitout before opening day on Thursday. It is part of a three-level, $50 million development; the top two floors are for the cinema while 13 food outlets fill the bottom level.
EntX will offer more than 900 spacious faux leather recliner seats spread across seven screens. Two are extra-large 'xtremescreens' with Dolby Atmos surround sound, the best sound on offer in New Zealand.
On the top floor, two theatres are 'Lux' offerings – think even bigger seats with USB and wireless chargers, an airplane-style call button for service at every seat, and beer and easy-to-eat food designed by celebrity chef Manu Feildel delivered mid-movie.
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Instead of a ticket booth, movie-goers are greeted by a row of self service terminals. A huge screen shows movie shorts in high definition and vibrant colour, while just beyond is 'Treat City' – an extensive snack bar. The complex also offers a bar with full kitchen on both levels. The decor is a blend of sophisticated screens and simple but pleasing wood and metal.
Despite the automated service where possible, Hoyts will hire about 80 people to run the cinema.
Hoyts NZ operations general manager Paul Wood said the company 'haven't spared much expense to get it right in the look and the feel of the place'.
'The look and feel, the technology, and everything about this cinema, it is going to be our flagship cinema.
'We're trying to create that friction-less experience from the top of the escalators.'
He said after losing sites in the earthquakes (Hoyts had an eight-screen Moorhouse Ave complex), it was important for Hoyts to get back into the CBD as soon as possible, but 'we just wanted to do it in the right way', which meant finding the right site.
Wood said the Lux offerings were all about 'exceptional service'.
'You're watching a movie in an environment you haven't been able to watch a movie in before.'
Wood's standout was Artie's bar on the lower floor (named after Hoyts founder Dr Arthur Russell), a 'unique selling point' unlike anything else in a cinema in New Zealand. The space is intended to stand up as a bar in its own right, but offers hot food and drinks that can be taken into the movies.
Hoyts design manager Tim Bradbury said the space was designed to immediately immerse visitors into the world of cinematography.
He said Lux was aimed at couples and offered a 'more private, sophisticated experience', while Artie's felt 'salvaged with style'.
Movie ticket prices have not been confirmed, but Hoyts' Auckland mutiplexes with recliner seats and big screens charge between $14 to $22.50, depending on session time and booking method.
EntX's opening is expected to give the central city a boost when its opens its doors.
Building owners Calder Stewart Investments bought the land from Crown rebuild company Ōtākaro and designed and constructed the building for Hoyts. It originally hoped to have it finished in May this year.
Fitting out the building has required co-ordination with 60 containers of gear for the cinemas plus food operators' own fitouts, and just one parking bay on Colombo St, which occupies a footpath and cycling lane. There is no on site parking.
The opening will bring the number of movie screens in the city to 39. Since the earthquakes the only central city cinema has been the boutique two-screen Alice Cinematique with 74 seats. The Arts Centre plans to open a double-screen arthouse cinema next year.