Pleasant Hill, CA - Many locals and fans of domed theaters are familiar with the CineArts Theatre in Pleasant Hill, CA. The theatre was built in 1967 by Century 21 Theaters as a geodesic dome theatre. 05-13

CineArts Theatre
Pleasant Hill, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

For years, a trip through Pleasant Hill included a look at the big dome of the CineArts Theatre. Rising above the surrounding shopping center, this rounded movie house was easy to recognize before anyone checked the coming attractions. For fans of old Century theatres, that roof brought back thoughts of a giant screen, a bucket of popcorn, and an evening at the movies.

The theatre opened on February 21, 1967, as the Century 21, with Doctor Zhivago as its opening attraction. Architect Vincent G. Raney designed the distinctive dome, giving Pleasant Hill a little space-age scenery. With its giant curved screen and single auditorium, this was a place built for pictures that needed room to unfold.

The CineArts Theatre was unceremoniously demolished on May 8, 2013 after supporters lost their appeal to the City Council to save the dome was denied just two days prior. Construction will soon begin on a Dick's Sporting Goods.

Interior of the theatre
Pleasant Hill, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Four additional screens arrived in late 1973, turning the complex into the Century 5. More movies joined the billing, but the dome remained the star outside. The other auditoriums could offer a different attraction. This one had the silhouettemotorists remembered.

In 2003, the theatre became CineArts, bringing independent, foreign, and art-house films to the familiar building. A movie house that opened with a big-screen epic had found another chapter, becoming a favorite stop for East Bay film fans.

When redevelopment threatened the property in 2013, supporters rallied under the Save the Dome banner. Petitions, public meetings, and appeals followed. After decades of first dates, family outings, and evenings at the movies, plenty of locals weren’t ready to see the old theatre disappear.

After over 45 years of being in business, the theatre showed its last show on April 21, 2013. Less than three weeks later the dome was gone.

Equipment sitting outside
Pleasant Hill, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The final screening took place on April 21, 2013, with a full house watching 2001: A Space Odyssey. Quite a farewell for a movie house that already looked a little like something from the future. The house lights came up, and the dome’s 46-year run was over.

UPDATE: Following a 3–2 City Council vote allowing redevelopment to proceed, the dome was demolished on May 8, 2013. A Dick’s Sporting Goods replaced the theatre. Another distinctive roadside landmark gone, leaving photographs and memories where the coming attractions used to be. 10-26

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