Oak Brook trustees have given the OK to a $50 million-plus project that will add 12 luxury movie theaters, additional space for restaurants and additional parking at Oakbrook Center.
The Village Board Dec. 13 unanimously approved the project, which has November 2016 as the targeted opening date for the 12 new theaters that will hold about 100 people each.
An existing four-screen theater on the east side of the center, which has been vacant since 1990, also is being renovated and is scheduled to open in May, said Chuck Fleming, Oakbrook Center’s senior general manager.
The addition of the new theaters, parking and restaurant space is considered a planned development, which required approval by the Village Board. Renovation of the old theater did not require approval.
The new theaters will be located in the northwest portion of the center as will a new parking garage with at least 475 parking spaces. That is a net increase of 260 spaces from what is available in the surface lot in that area, Fleming said, adding Oakbrook Center has 10,000 to 11,000 total parking spaces.
“This is designed on the north end of the property, and most of our parking congestion is on the south end,” Fleming said. “There will be an impact on parking, but it will be minimal.”
Along with mall security, Fleming said theater operator AMC has its own security, and mall staff communicates regularly with the Oak Brook Police Department about security.
Police Chief James Kruger said he doesn’t expect the additional theaters and restaurants to result in any security problems. He said not being able to drive up to nearby the front doors of the theaters, because of their location, is helpful.
The center’s Building G, which is near the planned new movie theaters, will be redeveloped as a restaurant and casual dining zone. New connections throughout Building G will link the new theaters and dining areas with existing retail areas.
The new development follows a two-year, $35 million common area renovation and landscaping redesign at Oakbrook Center, which was completed in late 2013.
“Entertainment is one area where we’ve always been slightly behind,” Fleming said.
Ticket prices at the new luxury theaters will have a 25 to 30 percent premium above usual movie theater admission costs, he said.
“These will not be your typical movie theaters; they will be luxury theaters with big, comfy seats,” he said.
Village President Gopal Lalmalani is thrilled about the planned addition.
“This is wonderful for Oakbrook Center and Oak Brook,” he said. “These will be outstanding theaters that will provide people with a place in Oak Brook to go for great entertainment.”