The site of a former Wilmington movie theater that closed its doors in October 2023 could soon be undergoing redevelopment, with plans proposed for an apartment complex.

Once a destination for moviegoers, the 8.58-acre property at 111 Cinema Drive features an AMC Classic 16 theater.

If plans for the proposed residential complex move forward, the now-vacant theater would be demolished to make way for residential buildings.

Who owns the property?

The plan details list a Massachusetts-based company, Spirit Master Funding II LLC, now known as SVCN 2 LLC, as the property owner and developer.

The project applicants are Gavin Milligan and Brad Schuler of Paramounte Engineering, Inc. – a Wilmington-based civil engineering company with offices on Cinema Drive.

What development was proposed?

Seven three-story buildings and one four-story building were proposed for the site.

Across the eight buildings, the complex would include 147 multifamily residential units, including 37 two-bedroom units, 12 three-bedroom units, 97 four-bedroom units and one model unit. The total living space would be almost 200,000 heated square meters.

There are also plans for 10,000 square meters of commercial space in the largest building in the complex. The site also includes an 8,400 square meter leisure area, a maintenance building, space for a trash compactor, 438 parking spaces, eight of which are equipped for electric vehicle charging, and 30 bicycle parking spaces.

What is the status of the proposal?

The proposed Cinema Drive development, submitted in late November of this year, is currently in compliance review, which began in early December, according to the city’s website.

Next, the project would be reviewed by the city’s Technical Review Board.

The land use currently designated for regional businesses is a mixed-use commercial zone, which is permitted under certain conditions under current zoning.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: A former Wilmington movie theater could soon become a housing development