Following an extensive two-year renovation, the historic Hollywood Theater in Dormont will reopen in November as Row House – Hollywood, the second Row House Cinema location in the city, and the company’s first expansion.

The renovated theater will be a state-of-the-art digital and film movie house that owners say will be a regional draw and a mainstay of Pittsburgh’s film scene. It also points to ever-stronger attendance after steep declines in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020.

“We took our time on this project to do it right,” said Brian Mendelssohn, principal of Row House Cinemas, which also operates Pittsburgh’s Row House-Lawrenceville. “We want this space to be more than just a movie theater. Our vision is for it to be a truly unique destination, a communal experience, and, most importantly, a great night out.”

The grand opening celebration on Nov. 6 will be a screening of Fritz Lang’s 1927 silent film Metropolis with a live accompaniment and a festive celebration for moviegoers. Tickets for the grand opening start at $30 and are available at www.rowhousecinemas.com.

Rather than a modern megaplex-style movie theater, Mendelssohn looked back to the 1920s for inspiration when redesigning the single-screen theater. The interior of the main cinema has been restored to mimic the original 1926 “atmospheric” movie house — which was famous for its domed ceiling with embedded star lights and classical architectural set built along the perimeter.

“We are essentially the first American theater in four decades to build a brand-new atmospheric movie house,” Mendelssohn said. “Our relationship with media and screens has changed so much in the last century, but we still believe that a movie screening should be a grand and aw-inspiring experience. This theater is designed with that goal in mind.

In addition to building a domed ceiling with a projected sky-scape, Row House partnered with local experimental content production company Needs More Fog to design sci-fi scenery for the interior of the main theater, which was inspired by Metropolis.

Despite the historical inspiration, Row House – Hollywood will feature top-of-the-line digital projection and audio equipment, as well as a new stage and expanded screen in the 400-seat main auditorium. Thea theater will also introduce film projection using the 35mm/70mm Norelco projector originally used at The Byham Theater in downtown Pittsburgh.

Programming at Row House – Hollywood will include a mix of repertory films and special events alongside select new film releases and major blockbusters. Row House – Hollywood will intersperse 35mm films into the program upon reopening. Future plans include the introduction of 70mm prints and film festivals in late 2026 or early 2025 — which will make Row House – Hollywood the only theater in Western Pennsylvania with 70mm capability.

In addition to the main auditorium, the Row House – Hollywood renovation also included converting the expansive basement storage space into a 46-seat second screening room, two rentable media/karaoke rooms, a full bar, and an arcade. Most basement features are expected to be open by late November.

“This project has been a long time coming and we cannot wait to celebrate,” Mendelssohn said. “Generations of Pittsburghers have memories from the Hollywood, and we’re excited to offer the next one-of-a-kind movie experience in this building on the eve of its 100th anniversary”

Those who sponsored seats and Row House Film Club members will be invited to enjoy special sneak-preview screenings before the theater opens. Row House – Hollywood will also run a soft opening throughout October to give staff the chance to learn the space and deliver an excellent customer experience. Select soft-opening dates, including Rocky Horror Picture Show nights with the Junior Chamber of Commerce Pittsburgh, will be announced by early September.

Those interested in joining the film club or sponsoring seats can visit rowhousecinemas.com/hollywood.