Paragon Theaters Will Bring Movie Theater To Falls Church

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Paragon Theaters will officially open at Founders Row, developer Mill Creek announced Monday. No opening date has been announced for the movie theater.

The announcement is a step forward after a previous movie theater plan fell through. As reported by the Falls Church News-Press in 2020, Studio Movie Grill had been planned to be part of Founders Row until it filed for bankruptcy.

The replacement, Paragon Theaters, will join residential and retail uses at the mixed-use development at W. Broad and N. West Streets.

"While previous efforts to bring a theater to the City of Falls Church were thwarted by the pandemic, we have nevertheless worked tirelessly to realize the vision that we set to create when this project was first approved in 2016," said Joe Muffler, senior managing director of development for Mill Creek Residential. "We firmly believe in the future of movies and the exhibition industry, so this is the best possible outcome to partner with such a high-level theater operator."

When it opens, Paragon Theaters will offer seven screens and at least 600 heated, reclining seats, according to a news release. The theater will also include its large format auditorium Axis 15 Extreme, which features a 65-foot screen tilted 15 degrees, laser projection, Dolby Atmos sound and 3D capability.

Along with movie viewings, Paragon Theaters will have a full-service restaurant and bar and arcade bar entertainment options. Guests may also order food and beverages to be delivered to their theater seats through a QR code.

"With new development, the City consistently seeks to bring in popular amenities like great retail, restaurants and entertainment that residents and visitors can all enjoy," said Falls Church Mayor P. David Tarter in a statement. "We congratulate Mill Creek on this milestone at Founders Row and look forward to welcoming Paragon Theaters to the City."

Paragon Theaters' commitment to open follows Falls Church City Council's approval of a new economic development agreement for Founders Row and movie theater terms.

Under the agreement, the first $20,000 in annual theater admission tax receipts would be kept by the City of Falls Church. Any tax receipts over $20,000 but not exceeding $360,000 would be paid to the development owner through an economic development grant. The theater admissions tax can only be up to 10 percent, per a state limit.

In addition, the first $10,000 in meals tax receipts would be kept by the city, and remaining tax receipts between over $10,000 to $160,000 would be paid to the owner. The agreement has conditions, including completion of theater work by March 31, 2024 and the theater opening by May 31, 2024.

Founders Row includes the 322-unit apartment community Modera Founders Row, 72-unit Verso Founders Row for adults 55 and older, future restaurants Ellie Bird, Chasin' Tails, Nue, Roll Play Vietnamese Grill, Kyu Ramen and Kyo Matcha, and retailers Club Pilates and 4Ever Young Med Spa. Limited retail space remains available for lease, according to Mill Creek Residential.