An iconic movie theater in Newport Beach is set to be demolished.
Regal Edwards Big Newport, which opened in 1969, is going to be replaced by two 22-story residential condominium towers, reshaping the fabric around Fashion Island. It comes after the theater has seen years of declining attendance.
Jim Edwards of the Edwards Family, which founded the movie theater company decades ago, said they’ve been interviewing developers for some time, looking for the right company to take over the space at 300 Newport Center Drive.
“It is with really heavy hearts that our family has decided not to extend Regal’s agreement to operate beyond June 2027. The theater will close permanently,” Edwards said.
Edwards spoke to the City of Newport Beach Planning Commission at a recent meeting about the project to voice his support for the development…