Known for its glittering marquee, old-world charm and ornate interior adorned with hieroglyphics on the walls, the cinema housed in what used to be Hink’s Department Storein May 1988 and has been operated by Landmark Theatres since 1994. Margot Gerber, a spokesperson for the chain, confirmed the closure to SFGATE in an email on Thursday, stating that the “landlord is moving forward with redevelopment of the property” and that it would “close effective June 1st.
Some patrons caught wind of the Shattuck’s demise earlier that week. Belinda Perez, who lives in Oakland, said she was having a drink atbefore a screening of “On the Count of Three” on Tuesday night when she overheard the bartender discussing the closure with another customer. Later, she confirmed the news with an employee at the concession stand, who said the theater’s last day in operation was May 24.
A project proposed for the building at 2065 Kittredge St. would demolish the theater to make way for an eight-story, 188-unit student housing development with 3,625 square feet of retail space, as well as two public courtyards on Kittredge Street and Allston Way, according to a plan submitted to the city of Berkeley last month. The project is still pending approval.
On one hand, theatrical cinema is dying. On the other hand, these venues are being forced out by high rent and developers.