Krikorian Expands Ownership in Menifee Town Center

An architect's rendering shows the exterior plans for the Krikorian complex at Menifee Town Center.

Story has been updated with the correction that a county courthouse has been approved for a parcel on the Menifee Town Center property.

What's happening with the movie theater?

That is one of the most frequently asked questions by Menifee 24/7 readers. Even with all the other business development taking place in the city, a major entertainment complex such as the one Krikorian is planning for Menifee Town Center is arguably the most eagerly awaited project.

The agreement between Krikorian Premiere Theaters and the developer, Regent Properties, was first announced in May 2014. The original estimated opening date was summer 2015. We're now a year later and ground has not been broken for that or any other business in the center, planned as a hub of Menifee's business and entertainment sector.

The reason for the delay? Krikorian's increased involvement in ownership and control of the property, located on Newport Road west of Haun Road and the developing Town Center Marketplace.

Originally, Krikorian purchased property and began developing plans solely for an entertainment complex including 12 theater screens, a bowling alley, sports bar and family entertainment center. As impressive is that plan is, it is now only part of Krikorian's master plan for the area.

Todd Cummings, vice president of operations for Krikorian Premiere Theaters, told Menifee 24/7 today that the company has purchased surrounding property and will be seeking tenants for 35,000 square feet of retail space. The process of purchasing the additional property and incorporating that into the overall Krikorian plan has accounted for the delay in the submission of plans to the city, Cummings said.

"We saw an opportunity and we like the community where we had already made plans," Cummings said about the additional property purchase. "We're developing the whole center, so we're in the process of submitting plans to the city."

Cummings said he couldn't give an estimated date for the groundbreaking at the center, where some
road and utility work has already been done. Asked whether he thought they would break ground before the end of the year, he declined to make a guess.

"We're moving as fast as possible," he said. "We know people are excited about this and we're excited to get there. The city has been very helpful throughout the process. Unfortunately, these things take time."

Cummings said the additional retail space would include a mixture of restaurants and shops. That will complement the entertainment complex, which will cover 80,000 square feet and include:

-- A 12-screen movie theater complex, featuring premium leather seats, some theaters with in-service, and including a 100-foot screen, the largest in the state.

-- A bowling alley with 16 lanes.

-- An amphiteater with 400 seats and a small stage for presentations.

-- Two sports bars (above).

-- A laser tag area.

-- A 300-seat restaurant with scratch gourmet kitchen.

-- An outdoor patio with seating.

-- A large arcade, similar to Dave and Busters.

Plans for the Menifee Town Center call for the inclusion of a civic center and outdoor amphitheater as well. Funding has also been approved and property in that center acquired for a county courthouse on the site, with construction scheduled to begin in 2018.

The public's only access to the Menifee Town Center so far has been for the last two Christmas tree lightings, taking place at a large oak tree placed in the center of the parcel as an iconic piece.

The bowling alley planned for Menifee Town Center will be the city's first since the facility on McCall Boulevard was torn down several years ago.