Type
Fit out
Client
Empire Cinemas Ltd
Location
Leicester Square, London
Value
5 million
Role
Principal contractor
Duration
9 months
Background
Empire Cinemas and IMAX Corporation announced an agreement to install an IMAX® theatre in their famous flagship cinema, The Empire Leicester Square. Screen 1 is being completely transformed for The IMAX Experience® , with ground breaking, crystal-clear digital projection, cutting edge sound technology and a significant larger, curved screen spanning from floor to ceiling and wall to wall, providing the capitals moviegoers the world’s most immersive cinematic experience.
Challenges
Screen 1 at The Empire Leicester square is an immense space in the heart of London measuring 19metres from floor to roof, 33metres wide, and 45metres front to back, and is suspended over a casino, and surrounded by functioning cinema screens and hotels. The challenge in splitting screen 1 to create two large format screens included, and were not limited to:
- Working within a building that was built in 1884
- Working within the restrictions of Leicester Square
- Providing safe access to all areas
- Installing a sound wall capable of splitting two large format screens 19m tall, and 33m long
- Installing a 25m long balcony
- Day to day logistics of all materials, equipment, and waste in a controlled area.
- Adhering to the weight limitations of a suspended concrete slab over a casino
Solutions
- Provide a birdcage scaffold to the entire auditorium
- Suspend all major structure, including the sound wall from the roof trusses
- The project management team and all involved came into their own with their flexibility and problem solving capabilities, thus ensuring the best possible results for the client.
Results
The result was two fantastic auditoriums in the heart of London’s west end, and were a result of sheer determination from all involved, with regard to the time constraints, weight limitations, location, access, and equipment installed.
