Metrograph Cinema Opens Next Year on Lower Ludlow Street

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One month ago, we exclusively broke word that fashion retailer Alexander Olch, known in these parts for selling ties at 14 Orchard Street, is opening an ambitious new movie theater project for the Lower East Side. Metrograph, as it’s called, has been in the works for many months at 7-11 Ludlow Street. The 5,400 square-foot warehouse is situated beside a Chinese funeral home, the backside of the vacant Loew’s Canal Street Theatre, and a number of shuttered distributors.

The New York Times follows up on our story with more information about the twin-screen cinema arts house planned for the block. A recent press release reveals that “world-class independent, international, repertory films and exclusive premieres” will be showcased at the Metrograph. Programming will be chosen by two curators. Jacob Perlin, programmer-at-large at the Film Society of Lincoln Center and formerly an associate programmer at BAMcinematek, and Aliza Ma from the Museum of the Moving Image and the Toronto International Film Festival. Apparently, a restaurant and book store are also a component of the overall project.

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Metrograph theater on Ludlow St.

Alexander Olch’s $1.4 million project began inside 7 Ludlow some four months ago, and is steadily progressing. According to permits issued by the Department of Buildings, the Metrograph theater space will sport a pair of screens, one of which includes balcony seating on a mezzanine level and boasts occupancy of 175. In addition, there will be a seven-foot vertical extension atop the structure, increasing the overall floor area to 8,853 square-feet.

Opening is slated for early next year.

Oh, and there is currently a website splash page out in the wild…