Located on the bustling Upper West Side of Manhattan, Amc Loews 84th Street stands as a cornerstone of cinematic entertainment in New York City. This multiplex theater has a rich history, evolving from the Loews 84th Street 6 to become a modern movie-going destination, known for its comfort and prime location. For movie enthusiasts in the area, AMC Loews 84th Street offers a convenient and enjoyable experience to catch the latest blockbusters and independent films.
Originally opened on March 15, 1985, the theater was designed by the architectural firm Held & Rubin as a replacement for the historic 83rd Street Theatre. The construction of AMC Loews 84th Street was part of an innovative real estate development. Loews aimed to maintain its presence in this prime location, leading to a unique agreement where a developer built the new six-screen cinema in exchange for the land occupied by the older 83rd Street Theatre. Adding to its architectural peculiarity, the developer retained air rights above the new theater, eventually constructing a condominium building on the site of the demolished 83rd Street Theatre and atop the newly built cinema. Despite appearing as one cohesive structure today, the building is actually two separate entities, with AMC Loews 84th Street owning its section of the building.
Over the years, AMC Loews 84th Street has undergone several significant renovations and design changes. The original interior design in 1985 featured a distinctive, though not universally loved, gold-and-brown color scheme. This included foil ceiling panels, fluorescent lighting in the lobby, and a memorable gold-with-brown-spots carpet. Around 1991, a redecoration brought a more contemporary feel with grey wall coverings, blue and red carpets, and pearl-gray ceiling panels. The auditoriums were enhanced with blue and red soundfold draperies and grey carpet “wainscoting.”
Auditorium seating at AMC Loews 84th Street showcasing recliner upgrades
A significant design overhaul occurred in 1996, led by the renowned David Rockwell/Rockwell Group. This redesign, acting as a prototype for future Loews theaters, focused on the two-and-a-half-story main lobby. Fluorescent lighting was replaced with cove lighting and stage-type lighting in various colors, creating a more dramatic and inviting atmosphere. Stylized cutouts of iconic New York City landmarks, such as the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Guggenheim Museum, the former World Trade Center, Grand Central Terminal, and Radio City Music Hall’s marquee, were installed, celebrating the city’s spirit. Computerized dimmers controlled the lighting to simulate the changing ambiance from dawn to night. A red carpet with a deco-style cartoon pattern and a dark-blue ceiling completed the look. The lobby’s centerpiece was a whimsical, oversized popcorn bucket and soda cups display atop the concession stand, featuring hydraulically animated popcorn kernels with strobe lights to mimic popping.
The marquee also received an upgrade in 1997, transitioning from plain anodized aluminum to stainless steel. Fluorescent zip-change letter panels were replaced with a modern red LED digital attraction panel, accompanied by red neon outlining and prominent red “Loews” letters and a spotlight logo. More recently, the carpet was updated to a blue design with a black deco-style cartoon, and the red LED digital attraction panel was further enhanced to a 256-color, 24 x 216-pixel display capable of dynamic visuals.
AMC Loews 84th Street once held the distinction of being the highest-grossing movie theater in the United States. It remained the top-grossing cinema in New York City until the opening of Loews Lincoln Square in 1994. Originally, Theaters 1, 2, and 3 on the upper level seated 314, 436, and 439 patrons respectively, while Theaters 4, 5, and 6 on the lower level accommodated 292, 475, and 429, totaling 2,385 seats. Reflecting modern cinema trends focused on comfort, a renovation in 2013 introduced recliner seating, significantly reducing the total capacity to 1,192. By 2018, the seating capacity was further refined to 883 seats, prioritizing a spacious and luxurious viewing experience.
Today, AMC Loews 84th Street continues to be a popular movie destination on the Upper West Side, offering moviegoers a state-of-the-art cinematic experience with comfortable recliner seating and a prime location. Whether you’re a local resident or visiting the Upper West Side, AMC Loews 84th Street provides an excellent venue to enjoy the latest movies. Check showtimes and plan your next movie outing at AMC Loews 84th Street for an unparalleled cinema experience in New York City.
