Bayfair Shopping Centre manager Steve Ellingford in the grand theatre. Photo / George Novak
Bayfair Shopping Centre manager Steve Ellingford in the grand theatre. Photo / George Novak
The final stage of Bayfair Shopping Centre's $115 million development is now complete, with the "hotly anticipated" United Cinemas due to open on Boxing Day.
The new cinema will include seven screens, 1300 seats, a grand theatre, 360-degree Dolby Atmos digital sound, in-theatre dining and quiet booths.
The Bay ofPlenty Times was offered a sneak peek inside the brand new cinema.
Two golden statues symbolising the Oscar trophies stand tall in the grand entrance way underneath a giant chandelier centrepiece that hangs from the ceiling.
High on the wall are black and white photos of United Cinemas founder and chairman Roy Mustaca posing with Hollywood celebrities including Anne Hathaway, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and John Travolta. Hollywood stars line the floor leading to the snack and ticket bar.
An arched ceiling above a hallway leading to the seven theatres features small lights imitating a starry night sky.
Inside the grand theatre, plush red seats recline all the way back in front of one of the biggest screens in the Bay. Each other cinema has its own colour theme: Blue, purple, red or raspberry pink.
A quick stop to the loos is like stepping into a luxury hotel bathroom that features shiny marble walls and doors and mirrors painted gold.
Bayfair centre manager Steve Ellingford said 2020 had not gone to plan for many but he was pleased to have maintained a focus on the mall's development and to be opening the final stage on December 26.
A soft opening of just one screening is tonight and Thursday night.
"We know the new United Cinemas at Bayfair has been hotly anticipated by the community and the wider region and we are thrilled to be opening soon.
"We are also glad to have seen new jobs offered to several people affected by the restructure of cinemas in the region."
Ellingford said the new cinema would create nearly 30 jobs with more available in the future.
United Cinemas is owned and operated by the Mustaca family, which has acquired and built 10 cinema complexes, with a total of 48 theatres, across Australia since 1987.
Founder and chairman Roy Mustaca said Bayfair was an appealing choice because it offered "one of the most compelling fashion, lifestyle and entertainment experiences in the country".
"We wanted to be a part of the Bayfair transformation and offer the people of the Bay of Plenty region an exceptional cinema experience."
Each of the seven cinemas will feature plush stadium seating and 300 electric grand recliners with wireless phone chargers on every seat.
Cinema-goers will also be able to order from an a la carte in-theatre dining menu offering wood-fired pizzas and a range of beverages that can be delivered to patrons' seats.
"With the latest projection and 360-degree Dolby Atmos sound, the cinema will deliver a world-class movie experience, Mustaca said.
An Oscar trophy stands tall in the new cinema. Photo / George Novak
Quiet booths designed for people with sensory processing disorders and parents who want to bring their babies and have access to a quiet space will also be available.
Sensory screenings will be announced as they are scheduled and "Mums and Bubs" screenings, depending on the movies, will be available each week.
The cinemas have also been designed with two accessible toilets that dually serve as parent rooms with baby-changing facilities and each cinema theatre has accessible seating spaces.
Bayfair Shopping Centre's $115m development has included more than 35 new stores opening in the first stage in late 2018 and an alfresco dining precinct including eight new restaurants to the region opened in mid-2019.
Priority One chief executive Nigel Tutt said retail, in general, was performing well in Tauranga, with November figures 4 per cent higher than 2019.
"Bayfair is the standout performer across the region, well up on last year," he said.
"The completion of this development will only strengthen the proposition there and I'd expect them to continue to do well next year and beyond."
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Matt Cowley said Bayfair's expansion was great for the regional community from both an economic and social perspective.
"Not only does it provide employment, but it also provides a key amenity and a safe place for families to enjoy."
Cowley said a new cinema was a great way to complement Bayfair's current retail and hospitality businesses.
The new cinema includes in-theatre dining brought straight to your seat. Photo / George Novak
"It provides an opportunity to entertain while other family members are shopping or enjoying the dining precinct."
Retail NZ chief executive Greg Harford said the opening of United Cinemas would strengthen the entertainment offering of Bayfair.
"It will make Bayfair more of a destination, which will ultimately help drive business for the retailers already in the complex.
"Given the uncertainties of 2019, it's great to see United Cinemas pushing ahead with the opening, which is a real vote of confidence in the future."
