The Hollywood first opened in 1935 and it's been closed since 2011

Vancouver City Council has approved plans to re-open the venue and will grant a liquor licence

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The doors are set to re-open at a place where many people in Vancouver watched their first movie.

The Hollywood Theatre will now be a multi-use art and community venue.

Local historian Aaron Chapman says the Kitsilano landmark at 3123 West Broadway has been dark since 2011.

“I know the plan that they have is not only to show films and to be part of the Vancouver International Film Festival but to open it up to live music, comedy, and jazz. So I can hardly wait to be there on opening night, and to be there in the front row.”

He adds he’s not the only one looking forward to seeing the doors reopen.

“It’s a great sign that the council approved it so quickly, I think that shows that everyone is excited to see that theatre open again. To not only make it an active, running cinema again but a live music performance place is being so welcomed not only by the whole city but that end of town.”

Chapman says he’s interviewed many people who remember seeing their first movie at the heritage site in Kitsilano.

“The more recent generation just might remember the Hollywood Theatre as the location where ‘The Payolas’ shot the ‘Eyes of a Stranger’ video. If you look in the background that’s the Hollywood Theatre. We talk so much about losing our cultural spaces, whether that’s live music venues or the theatres of the past.”

City council has also endorsed plans to give the 594-seat heritage site, which first opened in 1935, a liquor licence.