The redevelopment of landmark cinema the Curzon Mayfair is set to go ahead after a lengthy dispute between the leaseholder and landlord over plans for the historic venue.
Owner Fantasio, previously behind the refurbishment of KOKO, The Ned and the Wolseley, aims to turn the site, famed for its glitzy premieres, into a modern cinema, entertainment, media hub and dining destination.
CEO Dan Zaum said: ‘We’re disappointed it has taken so long but relieved it’s over and that we can now progress. We are passionate about creating London’s ultimate cinema experience. The Mayfair cinema will always have film at its heart – and will become a vibrant venue serving the wider community, creatively, socially, educationally and beyond.’
Built in the 1930s, the art deco filmhouse has hosted many premieres. But it requires updating. Zaum and is team will restore some original features while improving the layout, ambience and lighting, as well as the audio and visual screen technology. They will retain the cinema’s existing two screens but introduce luxury seating.
The current separate restaurant that forms part of the site will be amalgamated to create an in-house restaurant and bar, with greater use of natural light and lower energy consumption. The food will be sourced locally. Customers will be able to take food and drink into a showing. Step-free access will be vastly improved. In all, they’re going to spend more than £15million.
It's his intention to offer a range of ticket pricing, along with committing to showcasing independent film and the work of local filmmakers. The red-carpet premieres will continue and there will be scope for the hosting of other events, such as operas.
Their objective, as Zaum put it, is not only to boost the facilities of the existing Curzon Mayfair, which will be renamed, but to set a new standard for the industry. It’s what he did with the other projects. As well as property, he possesses a strong background in film. He runs Gold Rush Pictures, an arthouse production, financing and direction company. The cinema will showcase Gold Rush’s productions.
Zaum feels strongly, though, that from the outset, his scheme and track record were never given sufficient credence since he had no choice than to oust the then tenant, Curzon Cinemas. Zaum offered to involve them fully, as he did with the tenants at Koko, but was unimpressed by their ideas.
They mounted a fierce campaign against the changes, drawing heavily on the past, pointing out it was the first ever Curzon when it opened in 1934 and receiving the support of celebrities, including Steven Spielberg, Tilda Swinton and Emily Mortimer.
Whilst Westminster Council gave planning approval, court obstacles remained. However, Curzon Cinemas has formally withdrawn its defence in the litigation.
Fantasio can apply for judgment, which it will do shortly, and Curzon Cinemas has said it will consent to the application. Once judgment has been obtained the cinema lease will terminate three months later.
This means Fantasio will obtain possession of both the cinema and adjoining restaurant by January, enabling it to begin turning the whole ground-floor of the building into a state-of-the art space. ‘
“The Curzon Mayfair has been in decline for years, as has cinema-going generally,’ said Zaum. ‘We’ve got a vision that entails re-imagining film viewing, making it as immersive and exciting as the films being shown.’
Contrary to how his vision was portrayed, he insists he is not aiming to scrap the beloved cinema. ‘It’s about us desiring to execute our dream, which is not just for that cinema but for UK cinema generally.
“There’s a reason why cinema audiences around the country have been dropping and it’s not about the films being made, which are just as good as ever. It’s the general quality of the experience, in not having comfortable, reclining seats with lots of room, in not being able to take in high-quality food and drink, in being treated like a commodity by an anonymous chain rather than as someone special looking to have a special time.’
Curzon said it had been looking to refurbish the cinema for more than eight years and commissioned a leading firm of architects “to offer film lovers an accessible, high-quality experience ‘unrivalled’ across London.’ But their plans were “summarily blocked by the landlord. Despite Curzon’s profound love for Curzon Mayfair, it is with regret that we now need to withdraw from the site and focus our attention on establishing a new flagship venue elsewhere in London.”
