Construction is currently underway to install new state-of-the-art Regal Premium Experience (RPX) and IMAX theaters in Destiny USA.

This transformation includes a major expansion of retail real estate, a comprehensive branding reinvention and the most significant renovation of all for Syracuse movie buffs:  the first movie complex containing both an RPX and IMAX theater in New York state, said Josh Cook, manager of Regal Cinemas in Destiny USA.

“With RPX theaters being relatively new, they’re somewhat rare at the moment,” he said. “Add to that the uniqueness of also containing an IMAX theater, and you’ve really got something special.”

The expansion of Regal Cinemas in Destiny USA has been in the works since December 2011, Cook said, and is roughly estimated to reach completion in May 2013, although the precise date is uncertain and subject to change.

Intended to be Regal’s answer to IMAX theaters, the first RPX theater was established as part of the Regal Cinemas location on 42nd Street in New York City, Cook said. Now, three years later, RPX theaters have proliferated and can be found in 37 various venues throughout the country.

“The new theaters, especially the RPX, are going to provide an awesome new way for Syracuse residents to watch their movies,” Cook said.  “The screen is going to be massive, the seats are going to be extremely comfortable and the sound quality is going to be out of this world. A typical movie theater features about 16 sound channels. RPX features 64 sound channels. And you can definitely hear the difference.”

RPX theaters were designed with the central goal of boasting better sound fidelity, larger screens and more comfortable headrests for moviegoers. RPX theaters contain screens of 60 feet or more in width, whereas most standard movie screens are no more than 50 feet in width. When construction is complete, Regal Destiny USA Stadium IMAX and RPX will include an additional 700 seats to raise the facilities’ overall capacity to 3,400 seats, Cook said.

Regarding the potential for increased ticket sales, Cook said he believes the new theaters will stir the interest of Syracuse moviegoers.

“I really think it’ll draw people in,” he said.

Syracuse University students’ reactions to the new RPX and IMAX theaters vary from apathetic to excited.

“As things stand, I don’t really go see movies that often, and I don’t go to the mall all that frequently,” said Jessica Varona, a junior international relations major. “I don’t see this changing that.”

Xonielle Jordan, a sophomore psychology major, said she goes to the movies frequently and is excited for the renovations.

“I would say I go to the mall about once a week or so. And I go see a movie probably two times per month,” Jordan said. “Back home, I actually work at an independently owned movie theater where the screens are all standard-sized, so I’d definitely be interested in checking the new theaters out when they’re finished. It seems like a really cool way to watch movies.”

Published on February 6, 2013 at 10:23 pm