Cinerama Dome's Future Rests on City Council's Vote for Conditional Use Permit

Advocacy group "Save Your Cinema" has intensified its campaign, urging Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez to approve a crucial Conditional Use Permit (CUB) application for the iconic Cinerama Dome and former ArcLight Cinemas complex. The group, active on social media, explicitly called on the public to contact Councilmember Soto-Martinez, whose district encompasses the historic venue, stating, "> Everyone contact Hugo Soto-Martinez and tell him to approve the Cinerama Dome/Arclight CUB application!"

The Cinerama Dome, a landmark in Hollywood, has remained closed since ArcLight Cinemas ceased operations in April 2021 due to the financial strains of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its former owner, Decurion Corporation, subsequently sold the property to Robertson Properties Group, which has since proposed a significant redevelopment plan for the site. This plan aims to integrate the preservation and reopening of the Cinerama Dome with new retail and residential components.

The Conditional Use Permit under consideration is essential for the proposed mixed-use development, likely covering aspects such as specific operational allowances, including potential alcohol sales, and the overall zoning for the new residential and commercial spaces. Councilmember Soto-Martinez, representing Los Angeles City Council District 13, plays a pivotal role in the approval process, as the application requires city council endorsement to proceed. His office has been a focal point for community discussions regarding the future of the site.

Robertson Properties Group, a subsidiary of Decurion Corp., has faced multiple delays in its plans to reopen the Cinerama Dome, with previous targets pushed from 2023 to 2025, and its reopening status reported as "in limbo" as recently as August 2025. Land use consultant Elizabeth Peterson, representing the ownership, affirmed in June 2025 that the owners are "very committed to moving forward to continue redeveloping the site" and aim to "restore the entire property," with the theater next on the agenda after other developments like the Blue Note Jazz Club.

Community reactions to the redevelopment proposal have been mixed, with strong public sentiment for the reopening of the Cinerama Dome itself, a beloved cinematic institution and a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. However, some local groups and residents have expressed concerns regarding the scale and impact of the additional residential and retail elements. "Save Your Cinema" and similar advocates are primarily focused on ensuring the swift return of the Cinerama Dome as a functioning cinema.

The decision on the CUB application carries significant weight for Hollywood's cultural landscape and the broader Los Angeles entertainment industry. Approval would pave the way for the revitalization of a cherished movie-going experience, while also introducing new commercial and housing options to the area. The outcome will shape the future of one of the city's most recognizable architectural and cinematic treasures amidst a challenging market for theatrical exhibition.