A one-time popular movie theater site on the north side of Phoenix may see new life as an apartment complex.
The Hawkins Theatres company announced earlier this summer plans to close by the end of the year its long-running North Valley 16 theater, located near the intersection of Bell Road and 34th Way.
A statement from the company in July said it would cost too much to update the facility, which has been open for more than 20 years.
At the same time, Hawkins has said that it plans to build a new theater in the Phoenix urban village of Laveen and is exploring the possibility of opening another facility somewhere near the soon-to-be retired North Valley 16.
Now the Scottsdale-based Wolff Company says it would like to redevelop the Hawkins site, which would include the construction of an upscale 278-room apartment complex.
The redevelopment will require the demolition of the 80,000 square foot theater, with a rezoning plan for the nearly 2-acre site expected to be reviewed next month by the Phoenix City Council.
If all goes well in securing city approval, actual work on the project could begin next summer.
The Wolff Company is an integrated real estate firm specializing in the development of multifamily properties.
By Garry Boulard
