Building owner to open movie theater in former Regal space downtown

The downtown Springfield building that formerly housed cinemas operated by Regal Cinemas and Hollywood Theaters is getting new life.

Paul Tillman, property manager of Tillman Redevelopment LLC, which owns the 415 W. College St. building, said the company is targeting a mid-November opening for an independent movie theater called College Station Theater LLC.

"Ultimately, we felt like nobody's going to care as much as we do," Tillman said of discussions with potential lessees for the building that was vacated early last year. "We felt like with the correct hiring and management staff in place that really it wouldn't be as daunting as it seems.

"We're hopefully optimistic that that's still the case."

Tillman said staffing levels have not been finalized.

College Station Theater would work with movie buyers to secure show rights for new and classic films – a practice that thousands of independent theaters across the country have set the roadmap for, Tillman said.

"They will negotiate the pricing with the studios and give us access to the movies," he said.

Renovations are currently underway, Tillman said, declining to disclose project expenses. He said the company is outfitting the building with heated, reclining seats, laser projectors and four rooms with Dolby Atmos technology, as well as conducting painting, tile work and light aesthetic upgrades for the 50,000-square-foot building. Ten of 14 existing screens in the building will be utilized at first, Tillman said, adding the concession area is being revamped with a menu to be released at a later date.

"We hope to provide a really great amenity here for folks," he said.

The theater property has long been viewed as the anchor to Tillman Redevelopment's College Station development, which includes tenant Blue Room Comedy Club across the street. Tillman said two spaces are available in College Station.

Regal College Station closed in January 2023, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. The facility opened in late 2008 as Hollywood Theaters and while Regal purchased Hollywood Theaters in 2013, the branding on the building retained the latter company’s name.