Filmmaker Steven Spielberg has said it would be a “travesty” if Curzon Mayfair changes hands, as he joins a star-studded list backing the campaign for the cinema to keep its current operator.
The cinema in Mayfair first opened in 1934 and has been described by Historic England as one of the “finest surviving cinema buildings of the post-war period”.
It’s now a historical landmark in central London and a venue which has hosted recent red-carpet premieres such as Spielberg’s own The Fabelmans and Rian Johnson’s Glass Onion.
Curzon’s lease is up for renewal in March 2024. The cinema chain has applied for a new lease to continue to run the cinema in Mayfair and is hoping to reach an agreement with the landlord.
But the landlord, 38 Curzon Lease Ltd, has indicated it will not renew Curzon’s lease but instead take over the cinema and invest £15 million to revive it.
The plans include adding new dining options, screening independent and local filmmakers and hosting opera nights.
38 Curzon Lease Ltd chief executive Dan Zaum said:“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.
“Back in the 1930’s when this cinema was first built, elements such as accessibility, affordability and energy efficiency weren’t a concern. We now have the opportunity to consciously upgrade the workings of this venue for the enjoyment of everyone, whilst maintaining the prestige and beauty of its original features and façade.”
Curzon has said: “Whilst we are keen to sign on for a new lease, our landlord has made an alternative proposal for the site that threatens our residency.”
The owner of Curzon, US-based Cohen Media Group, has also set out plans to upgrade and refurbish the building to better cater to the community.
“This would then allow Curzon to invest in the venue for the benefit of the local community, which they have been unable to do so with the threat of eviction hanging over the venue,” councillor Patrick Lilley wrote in his petition, which has garnered more than 19,200 signatures.
Mr Lilley wrote: “With the lease up for renewal, and despite having security of tenure, Curzon are expecting the landlord to attempt to terminate its lease by either applying for redevelopment or becoming an owner operator – the sole two grounds on which to break the current lease.”
Spielberg has thrown his weight behind the petition to keep Curzon as the operator.
He said: “I was privileged to be there only a few months ago for the UK premiere of my new film, The Fabelmans, and it would be a travesty if Curzon was no longer there to host such special events.”
He and Tilda Swinton, Toby Jones, Emily Mortimer, Imogen Poots and Rebeccan Hall have shown their support to keep the cinema running.
Filmmakers PaweÅ Pawlikowski, Joanna Hogg, Charlotte Wells and Peter Strickland are among those who have signed Mr Lilley’s petition.
The cinema was granted Asset of Community Value (ACV) status by Westminster City Council.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “The Curzon cinema is a cultural gem and an important home for cinema in London. We need to ensure we protect our cultural venues – especially ones as iconic as the Curzon in Mayfair.”
The landlord is obligated to officially confirm their plans for the venue and under the Landlord and Tenant Act. The cinema operators are entitled to apply to court to enforce their right to renew their lease.
Curzon hopes the landlord will “come back to the negotiating table” now that an application for a new lease has been submitted.
Curzon chief executive Philip Knatchbull said: “We have a strong case for having our lease renewed and are prepared to go to court if necessary to enforce our rights as an existing long-term tenant.”
Benedetti Architects, which recently worked on the redesign of Bafta’s Piccadilly headquarters, has been appointed to make a proposal for an extensive refurbishment of the cinema.
The cinema’s landlord previously sought to apply pressure in 2017 when the upper floors were converted to residential use, and the landlord requested noise mitigation works be undertaken.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan intervened to protect the cinema from new neighbours complaining about long-existing noise.
