New Mountain View Theater Breaks Down Barriers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA -- For movie lovers longing for a luxurious experience that gets them off their sofas, the new ICON Theatre in the The Village at San Antonio on California Street is out of this world.

About 65 people enjoyed the week-old experience Thursday night for a sneak preview of "First Man," the film starring actor Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong -- the first man to walk on the moon in 1969.

Imagine a theater where you can grab a nutritional snack from an adjacent restaurant and full bar where you can get a cocktail that would make a mixologist envious. Then, kick back in a lounge chair with a tray table and seat warmers where the biggest concern is falling asleep because of the comfort.

The 50,000-square-foot facility on three floors encompasses 10 auditoriums with laser tech projection and dynamic Dolby sound that can almost vibrate you out of one of the 1,103 seats. This is the place to get a seat for when a hot film comes out. "First Man," based on a story that captivated the space age, is just such a film.

"It's very interesting seeing the history of the time. Of course, a lot is different now," said John Poell, who works for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. His wife, Milynn Poell, thoroughly enjoyed the red-carpet experience, calling it "awesome."

The movie experience of a lifetime was brought in via Kerasotes, a company with a century of experience in providing upscale theaters to more than 100 locations.

"With our latest ShowPlace ICON opening in Mountain View, our goal is to continue to embrace the magic of going to the movies, but in such a way that puts state-of-the-art technology and exciting amenities at the center of the experience," ShowPlace ICON Chief Executive Officer Tony Kerasotes said.

The theater is nestled in the Village comprises 91,000 square feet of residential retail and 330 luxury apartment units, with an additional 440,000 square feet of office space. There's also a Hyatt Centric hotel, with an 8-level parking structure that supports an area formerly known for parking issues.

Five-year resident "Richard" took in the film because he wanted to "get out in his community." The senior strolled over from his apartment, adding credence to the national call to build self-sustaining, pedestrian-friendly communities.

And even with construction beginning years ago, the village project is not done and space is still available for lease.

"In general, we are pleased with the project. We expect it to be a vibrant, mixed-use center that serves as an active and inviting community space," Mountain View City Manager Dan Rich said.

--Images via ShowPlace, Mike Diskin; Sue Wood, Patch