Business & Tech

The Alamo, with Beer, Coming to Ashburn

But hold your calls during movies at One Loudoun's planned cinema drafthouse

 

Plans were announced last week for Alamo Drafthouse Cinema to build a theater in the planned One Loudoun development at Route 7 and Loudoun County Parkway.

The move comes about two months after One Loudoun – constructed under a partnership between Miller & Smith and North America Sekisui House – opened its Welcome Center for potential residents and businesses interested in the community. One Loudoun’s retail development partner is Potomac Development Group.

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Patrons at Alamo locations can have dinner, drinks and a movie without leaving the theater. But beware, according to the Alamo website, the theater has “zero tolerance for talking or cell phone use of any kind during movies, and we aren't afraid to kick anyone rude enough to start texting their friends during a show right out of the theater.”

Alamo, which currently has a theater in Winchester, VA, does not permit advertising on its screens “after you've already paid to see the movie.” Instead, they refer to something called “custom preshows” with content themed to programmed features.

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Alamo’s representatives point to “Best Theater Ever” and “coolest theater in the world” designations earned from Time magazine and Wired, respectively.

“This type of mixed-entertainment venue is rare in Loudoun County and we’re thrilled to bring such a unique experience to the One Loudoun community,” said Bill May, vice president of Miller and Smith.

The announcement marks continued progress for One Loudoun, which suffered setbacks after the recent economic recession hit. Miller & Smith struggled to move forward until partnering with North America Sekisui House (NASH); since, however, construction has begun on elements of the project.

“This is the first of many retail and restaurant deals we are putting together to create a new downtown at One Loudoun,” said Tom Maskey, principal of Potomac Development Group, in a press release. Maskey also serves as development manager for the downtown portion of One Loudoun.

Construction is set to begin on the 34,000-square-foot Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, the first in the DC market, this spring, with plans for opening about a year later in 2013.

The new theater will add to the mix in movie options in or near Ashburn. Current theaters include in Brambleton, Regal Countryside 20, Cobb Village 12 Leesburg and the Tally Ho Theater in Leesburg.

In all, more than 700,000 square feet of retail uses and about 1,000 homes are planned on One Loudoun’s 358 acres. Up to 3 million square feet of office uses are permitted, which will include the World Trade Center Dulles Airport. A clubhouse and amphitheater are planned as part of the development, along with 150 acres of parks, open space and trails.

Before partnering with NASH, donated land for and constructed many new road connections that Ashburn drivers have become familiar with, including portions of Russell Branch Parkway and Marblehead Road.

For more information about One Loudoun, please visit www.oneloudoun.com or call the One Loudoun Welcome Center at 703.724.1111. For more information about retail leasing at One Loudoun, please contact Potomac Development Group at 571.299.4970 or visit www.potomacdevgrp.com.


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