Observant moviegoers may have noticed the shipping containers and construction materials behind CMX Cinemas on Main Street in recent months.
The reason: A more sophisticated movie experience will debut just in time for the holiday season at the former Cobb Miami Lakes 17 Theaters.
Fully reclinable seats will be installed in 12 theaters and a 13th theater in the complex will have D-Box seats, which move and shake and keep pace with the action shown on the screen.
Ticket buyers will be able to reserve seats and will find a renovated lobby with a bar and “upscale concessions,” the company said.
The project is a partnership with The Graham Companies, which owns Main Street.
The cineplex never closed and first-run movies were screened as renovations were taking place elsewhere inside.
Also planned is a sports bar within the cineplex that will serve entrees, snacks and handcrafted cocktails. Sporting events will be shown on lots of screens, a company spokesman said.
Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid has advocated for a remodeling of the town’s movie house, at 6711 Main St.
“Main Street is back and it’s part of the Miami Lakes renaissance,” Cid said. “We are really making leaps and strides and going back to where we once were.”
Cid said in the 1970s, “we were the place to be. Now we are heading into a span of fast progression and the redevelopment of the theater is a culmination of it.”
Ask anyone who spent their teen years in Miami Lakes whether they hung out at the blue fountain after seeing a movie.
Soon there’ll be another reason to return to downtown.