The gem of Nashville’s film culture, The Belcourt, is set to reopen on Friday, July 22 after nearly seven months of being closed for its first major overhaul and renovations in 50 years. The 90-year-old building is near completion of a $5 million facelift and expansion.
The new theater will feature an expanded lobby space spanning the entire front of the building along Belcourt Avenue in Hillsboro Village that includes an alcove space where friends and family can gather before and after their film outings. The box office has a new spot that’s easier to access, and patrons will especially be happy about bigger restroom facilities that will now be fully wheelchair accessible.
Both theater spaces have light-lock doors to enhance your viewing experience. The 1966 Hall went down from 366 seats to 254 due to the lobby and restroom expansion; the historic 1925 Hall maintains its same 332-seat capacity.
Designed by local architect firm Tuck-Hinton, there are a couple of exciting new features on the second floor including a new screening room that accommodates up to 45 people along with a nearby classroom that will host film education programs for all ages.
The good folks at The Belcourt aren’t announcing what programming is coming just yet (including options for kids and families), so stay tuned for that upcoming info. History buffs can check out the theater’s timeline below.
Learn more at 615-846-3150 or belcourt.org.
BELCOURT TIMELINE
- 1925 | Opens as the Hillsboro Theater to show silent movies, with a Kimball organ, 800 leather-covered seats, and Nashville’s largest stage
- 1930s | First performance of the Children’s Theatre of Nashville and home to the Grand Ole Opry (1934-1936)
- 1937 | Renamed Nashville Community Playhouse and is the site for community events, theatre and film
- 1966 | Renamed the Belcourt Cinema — and returns to its original use as a movie house
- 1993 | Carmike (and the Massey family) ends a successful 30-year lease of the Belcourt Theatre; Watkins Film joins Belcourt LLC to manage the building
- 1999 | Belcourt LLC closes the Belcourt, and the building is leased by the nonprofit Belcourt YES! group
- 2003 | Thomas Wills, a founding member of Belcourt YES!, purchases the theatre
- 2007 | Belcourt YES! group purchases the theatre from Mr. Wills and formalizes the name as the Belcourt Theatre Inc.
- 2008-2011 | Belcourt supporters give generously to fund new seats, draping, carpeting and aisle lighting
- 2014 | The Belcourt celebrates 15 years as a nonprofit cultural organization
- 2015 | On May 18, 2015, the Belcourt turns 90 years old
- 2015 | On Dec 24, 2015, the Belcourt closes for renovation and construction on its 90-year-old theatre — a project supported by the Belcourt Campaign with a goal of $5 million
