Work increases on theater, hotel sites at Town Center

Construction of the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott has been taking place for weeks. Menifee 24/7 photos by Doug Spoon

There is increased activity on both sides of the main entrance to Menifee Town Center on Newport Road in Menifee.

For months, the bulk of construction took place on the south portion of the center, which is planned as Menifee's civic center as well as an entertainment and shopping center and residential area. Houses and condos continue to spring up in the acreage north of La Piedra Road near what is being called Central Park, but the "big ticket" items planned for the front of the center facing Newport Road have been slow to materialize.

Now, however, one can see that the framing is up for the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott on the east side of Town Center Drive. The hotel will have 99 rooms, a pool, breakfast dining area and conference space for up to 300 people.

Across Town Center Drive, grading is underway for the long-awaited Krikorian Theater complex, which will include:

-- A 122,000-square-foot theater with 12 screens, including the largest movie screen in the nation – 100 feet wide and 54 feet tall.

-- A 9,320-square-foot sports-themed restaurant/bar with a 60-foot by 45-foot TV screen showing sports and other major events.

-- A 22-lane bowling alley.

-- A 7,200-square-foot gaming area, including laser tag.

Gina Gonzalez, economic development director for the City of Menifee, said framing of the structures will take place in January and February.

Other commercial development planned for the Menifee Town Center includes a Sprouts Farmers Market, Olive Garden, Dickey's Barbecue Pit and Chronic Tacos Mexican Grill.

Heavy equipment is grading the site of the Krikorian Theater complex, which will also include a bowling alley and arcade.

Planning map shows the location of housing developments and commercial businesses in Menifee Town Center.