The landlord of the Curzon Mayfair has revealed £15 million plans to to refurbish the iconic cinema, but not with Curzon as its operator.
Plans include a new restaurant, bar, opera nights and independent and local film screenings, with interior designs laid out by Archer Humphryes Architects.
The team behind the proposed project, 38 Curzon Lease Ltd, previously worked on recreating The Ned London hotel and music venue Koko Camden.
The plans have been released amid an ongoing battle over the future of the cinema.
The cinema was first opened by Curzon in 1934 and has been described by Historic England as one of the “finest surviving cinema buildings of the post-war period”.
Curzon’s lease to operate the historic Grade II listed cinema is up for renewal in 2024. The cinema chain has formally applied to renew it with plans for its own renovations.
But the landlord has indicated it will not renew Curzon’s lease but instead upgrade the cinema itself, a move opposed in a petition by Westminster councillor Patrick Lilley.
The petition, advocating to keep the cinema under Curzon stewardship, has been signed by 19,300 people and backed by filmmakers and actors such as Steven Spielberg and Tilda Swinton.
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.
“Back in the 1930s 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 facade.”
Natural light would be returned to the building to lower energy consumption as well as reinstatement of existing materials and reverting to the original layout
Spread across three floors, including an in-house restaurant, bar and auditorium table service, the Mayfair cinema would be “a low waste operation”, he said.
Curzon has its own plans to making “substantial investment” in the building, with Benedetti Architects appointed to make a proposal for “a sensitive but extensive refurbishment” of the cinema which would be “ready to go once a new lease is agreed with the landlord”.
“Accessibility, affordability and energy efficiency are all priorities for Curzon, for both its new and older cinemas,” Curzon said in a statement.
“Renowned Benedetti Architects, who recently worked on redesigning BAFTA’s Piccadilly headquarters, will look at industry-leading solutions to acoustics, lighting, the food and beverage offer, energy efficiency, venue adaptability and enhanced audience appeal to create a gold standard for film premieres in London.
“We have an established and credible record within the industry and are best placed to remain as the custodians of Curzon Mayfair to ensure it thrives for decades to come for generations of film goers.”
The petition said Curzon has been unable to do this already “with the threat of eviction hanging over the venue”.
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.”
