You bring up several good points! 
However, I would add that the “people” component is going to be even more popular moving forward as those whom love to watch and enjoy being a part of a group/crowd in almost any environment continues to grow in DTR. I hope that developers will take a step back, re-reexamine what looks good and what ingredients might work together 
and they can find a niche IMO.
I’ve been watching so many movies due to the pandemic but at this time I have MORE of a craving to go to theaters. It’s like, I didn’t realize what we had until it was taken away. I feel I’m in the minority though.
Sounds like downtown South should get the movie theater complex as far as a later phase in its development. That’s something I could see happen assuming streaming doesn’t completely kill theaters.
With my home theatre setup, my fridge in the next room, my kitty cats curled up next to me on the couch, and the PAUSE button and personal bathroom - mixed in with the same-day releases on HBO Max and all the great OG content Amazon/Netflix/Hulu is putting out… I’ve actually not missed going to the theatre much 
However, there are a few movies coming that I will want to see on a large, loud screen. Fast and Furious 9 for one, The Batman for sure (which has now been pushed back to March 2022). Otherwise, I’m in no rush hahaha
I have not been a movie goer for years. Only time is if someone wants me to go with them. all the points Jake makes, plus a lot cheaper and more fun with GF at home that in movie - chuckles. If want pop-corn will go to store and buy a wheelbarrow worth for same price and pop it at home as pop-corn and drinks at movie. Amazon now has option to invite friends to watch movies with you from their homes as well, kind of zoom for movies. With 75in screens it’s like going to movies and setting in mid of theater.
But you can’t reasonably walk to either of these two from most locations downtown.
Watching movies is something that can be done at home and yield a relatively satisfying experience without having to hire a babysitter, so if wifey and I are going out for a date night we’ll always pick something more active that we can’t readily do at home.
That said, I do miss theaters, so once a babysitter is no longer needed we’ll probably go and see a movie pretty often. I would love to be able to do that downtown.
I lived across the street from the cheap theater on Blue Ridge Road during college, and sometimes went to multiple movies a week, whenever there was something worthwhile showing. Living a short walk from a movie theater (especially a cheap theater) was… really amazing.
I wish the Ambassador Theater on Fayetteville St could have been saved. Like the Carolina Theater in Durham, it can’t be duplicated.
While it may seem like a tick-the-box exercise, the goal of the city, the DLA, etc. should be to increase/diversify/grow the experience options in the city, and Fayetteville St. should be seen as the epicenter from which these experiences radiate among downtown’s footprint.
The city pushed for grocers and we now have both Publix and Weaver Street. The city pushed for Union Station. The city pushed for a convention center. I think that the city even pushed for a law school.
IMO, the list of experiences to be pushed by the city should grow. Stretch goals should be applied here, and things should continue to be added: downtown stadium, enhanced retail experiences, etc. Again in my opinion, this list should include a movie theater. It should also include an enhanced Memorial Auditorium, a permanent outdoor concert venue, etc.
there was called the “State”, At 320 South Salisbury Street, St where the Justice Center is now. I know it was there until late 70’s. Remember going there but was not in best condition. First time going to Ambassador was when family drove from 50 miles away to see “The Sound of Music”. But went there often in early 70’s being keep getting free passes due it my job at N&O in advertising department.
EDIT - to correct information after finding information and picture
I believe that is my step-grandmother sitting in the ticket booth.
We walked from Washington school to the Ambassador for film in 6th grade. Its really a shame that either the Ambassador or the State didn’t survive. I do remember when the Ambassador closed its big 65 or 75 mm projector went out to North Hills.
Phipps AMC was interested in context with the rest of the mall/Buckehead. I went monthly as a child and it always felt like an experience. The have revamped it - the food court is now mostly a miniature LegoLand. The AMC is now high-end moviegoing. I will miss that Johnny Rockets.
Out to The Cardinal Theater, which is also now gone!
Damn! Would have made an awesome restored music/comedy venue in the heart of the city!!!
New furniture spot coming to PNC Plaza. https://office-revolution.com/
I am working with them right now on a project in Manhattan. Office Revolution acquired Edge Office (were in North Hills). Glad to see that they are opening downtown.
That would be PERFECT in the N&O block
Lunchtime concert series coming back this summer. Can’t remember where I read it also but a survey found that 77% of downtown workers except to be back in the office this fall.
