Two years after Scene One Entertainment announced that it reached an agreement to lease — and more importantly, reopen — Albany’s then-shuttered Spectrum 8 Theatres, it’s now official: the local cinema landmark has a bona fide new owner.
Scene One confirmed it completed the purchase of the Spectrum 8 on Monday, making it possible to finally begin the long-awaited renovations the cinema company promised back when it took over the theater’s lease. Scene One had operated the Spectrum 8 under a lease-to-purchase agreement since the previous operator, Landmark Theatres, opted not to renew its lease in early 2024. After a brief closure, the theater was reopened in April 2024 after Scene One took over the lease on the property, which was owned by Spectrum Associates LLC.
Among the potential upgrades discussed by Scene One and its owner and CEO, Joe Masher, are enhancements to the parking lot, theater seating and restoration of some of the original design elements around the theater’s lobby and other interior areas…