NATURE
Strip out and refurbishment
CLIENT
Empire Cinemas Ltd
LOCATION
5-6 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7NA
CONTRACT VALUE
5 Million
CAPACITY
Principal contractor and CDM
TIME SCALE
9 months
About Empire Cinemas
Empire Cinemas is the largest independently owned cinema chain in the UK. Currently operating 162 screens in 16 cinemas across the United Kingdom. Empire Cinemas screens everything from mainstream blockbusters to art-house classics in quality cinemas, staffed by individuals who are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about film.
In 2012, Empire Cinemas opened its doors to 7.6 million customers, showing over 500 different films across its estate.
Operating since 2005, Empire Cinemas takes its name from The Empire Leicester Square, the flagship location within the group which celebrates its 117th birthday this year, with the company drawing on a rich heritage of over a century of experience bringing moving pictures to the public.
Background
Empire Cinemas and IMAX Corporation announced an agreement to install an IMAX® theatre in their famous flagship cinema, The Empire Leicester Square. Screen 1 is being completely transformed for The IMAX Experience® , with ground breaking, crystal-clear digital projection, cutting edge sound technology and a significant larger, curved screen spanning from floor to ceiling and wall to wall, providing the capitals moviegoers the world’s most immersive cinematic experience.
Challenges
Screen 1 at The Empire Leicester square is an immense space in the heart of London measuring 19metres from floor to roof, 33metres wide, and 45metres front to back, and is suspended over a casino, and surrounded by functioning cinema screens and hotels. The challenge in splitting screen 1 to create two large format screens included, and were not limited to:
- Working within a building that was built in 1884
- Working within the restrictions of Leicester Square
- Providing safe access to all areas
- Installing a sound wall capable of splitting two large format screens 19m tall, and 33m long
- Installing a 25m long balcony
- Day to day logistics of all materials, equipment, and waste in a controlled area.
- Adhering to the weight limitations of a suspended concrete slab over a casino
Solutions
- Provide a birdcage scaffold to the entire auditorium
- Suspend all major structure, including the sound wall from the roof trusses
- The project management team and all involved came into their own with their flexibility and problem solving capabilities, thus ensuring the best possible results for the client.
Results
The result was two fantastic auditoriums in the heart of London’s west end, and were a result of sheer determination from all involved, with regard to the time constraints, weight limitations, location, access, and equipment installed.
Working in Leicester square is always a massive challenge with the age of the building, limited space, road access, heavy pedestrian traffic etc. so attempting a job as technically difficult as this one in the this location was a little daunting, especially as we traded throughout the works.
Maeve were my first choice for the job, not only are they at ease with the challenges of working in a central London site, but their ‘can do’ approach on a job we had previously been told was unachievable, was the key to getting it done.
Not only did they provide innovative solutions throughout the job that enabled the job to progress, they also delivered big savings on PC sums allowed for.
NEIL GOULDING – FACILITIES AND CONSTRUCTION DIRECTOR AT THE EMPIRE CINEMAS
ACCREDITATIONS
