Sony, Barnes & Noble expand at Lincoln Sq

Real Estate Weekly, Sept 14, 1994 by Lois Weiss

Sony Theatres is taking over the Barnes & Noble bookstore's space in the Lincoln Square mixed-use project being developed by Millennium Partners and currently completing construction.

The entertainment giant has decided to expand its multiplex theater operations at the site from ten to twelve cinemas. This month, it officially changed its Loews Theatre division name to Sony Theatres.

Sony acquired the chain when it bought MCA, that owned Columbia that owned Tri-Star that owned Loews. Got it?

Expect a big grand opening in November for the theaters, with special events in the large old-fashioned premiere-style movie house, as well as on its 150 x 80 foot IMAX theater screen for which Sony will eventually create commercial movie prints.

Marc pascucci, vice president of advertising for Sony, said they are still working on the final plans for the opening, depending on when construction is completed. "We have plans in the works," he said. "We're looking at doing benefits or a screening with radio stations at the IMAX, and also talking to the movie companies that have movies opening that week and have the VIP reception the night before."

Among the movies being considered for the opening of the 915-seat premiere theater are the Gothic thriller "Interview With A Vampire," starring Tom Cruise, scheduled to open November 18; "Star Trek: Generations" also premiering November 18; the John Hughes remake of "Miracle on 34th Street;" "Junior," the Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger flick scheduled to open November 23; and the animated "The Swan Princess."

Meanwhile, the Barnes & Noble book-store that was scheduled to go into the almost completed Lincoln Square project has been bumped across the street into the even newer Lincoln Triangle building and bumped up to 60,000 square feet from 22,000.

Retail consultant Albert Bialek, president of Albert Bialek Associates, who handled the transaction, deems the retailing space to be a "super colossal" store for New York City.

Meantime, the Reebok Sports Club/NY, scheduled to open in the Lincoln Square building in February with a black-tie event, is starting to advertise for memberships.

Nanette Pattee Francini, executive vice president of Reebok Sports Club/NY, says they are just starting to plan their New York grand opening. "We usually have a start-studded charity evening for members, along with sports and entertainment celebrities. This is not a stuffy sitdown dinner, but a hot, fun party and we get to raise money for charity at the same."

At 140,000 square feet, the sports and fitness complex will be the largest in the city. Francini said there will be a For Kids Only kid's club and many activities will be geared to the families from the Upper West Side.

The Junior Olympic-size swimming pool features underwater music for rhythmic paddling and is cleansed with the latest environmentally-friendly ozone system.

There are several restaurants, conference rooms for business meetings and lectures, a body salon, an outdoor running track surfaced for in-line roller blading, basketball courts, rock climbing walls, wind surfing, golf, skiing and rowing simulators, and an aerial ropes course.

A state-of-the art "spinning" room will help you work on an exercise bike in a classroom featuring special effects, including wind blowing on your face as you pedal.

Introductory Phase III membership pricing is guaranteed through September 17, after which prices go up to Phase IV, and then up again on October 15. Once the club opens, other higher pricing will be in effect.

Some of the residences in the condominium portion of Lincoln Square are currently being rented beginning at $2,500. They feature central alarms, floor-to-ceiling windows, 9-foot ceilings, a fiber-optic telecom system, room service, valet service and valet parking.