Batavia City Council OKs large ‘Emax’ sign for former Randall 15 theater

The Batavia City Council approved a variance at its meeting July 5 that allows for the construction of a massive new “Emax” screen to be installed in the former Randall 15 Movie Theater as part of ongoing renovations.

The former Randall 15 theater was purchased by Emagine Entertainment in September.

The variance would allow the auditorium to be 6.67 feet higher than the maximum building height allowed, according to meeting documents. The building’s final height would be 51.33 feet tall as opposed to the limit of 45 feet.

“In all reality, it only ends up being a couple feet taller than it is right now,” Alderman Alan Wolff said. “I’m sure [residents] will notice when they get inside the building that it will be much different than it was.”

The variances, which were requested at the June 15 Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing, also granted increases to outdoor signage size.

“Something really exciting is happening,” Wolff said. “It’s quite a change to what everyone is used to.”

“We see bright days ahead for this particular venue,” said Paul Glantz, co-founder and chairman of Emagine Entertainment. “It will include a 94-foot-wide screen. It will be the largest Cinemscope screen in the state of Illinois.”

A 12,552-square-foot addition is proposed to the east rear of the building for the Emax screen, according to documents.

Theater seat counts will be reduced from 2,285 to 1,090 and total auditoriums would be decreased from 12 to 15. Meeting documents said new recliner seats and heating will be added to auditoriums.

Images of brand-new reclining seats, larger screens, a full bar and a billiard table were shown at the meeting.

“It’s the perfect place for any type of event you might consider,” Glantz said. “Family reunions, birthday parties, you name it, [it] will have a great deal of success.”

Glantz said the theater will have a “high roller room” that will include bowling lanes and a bar.

“In addition to movie entertainment, we intend to build several party rooms,” he said. “We’re in the business of providing our guests with what we hope is an exemplary entertainment experience.”

Glantz said the new theater is expected to open its doors next spring.

“We’re creating tonight, I think, a whole new level of entertainment of which Batavia has never quite seen before,” Batavia Mayor Jeffery Schielke said. “I’m excited about it because I think it really does speak to the needs of what I’m hearing is the wishes of the community.”