Charles Cohen reels in Greenwich Village movie house

Real estate developer plans to renovate Quad Cinema, show rare films

From left: Quad Cinema at 34 West 13th Street and Charles Cohen
From left: Quad Cinema at 34 West 13th Street and Charles Cohen

Real estate developer Charles Cohen purchased the Quad Cinema in Greenwich Village and will embark on a renovation that will see the independent theater reborn as a repertory house.

Following an overhaul of the theater at 34 West 13th Street next year, the facility will show classic films from the rare film library Cohen spearheads, the Cohen Film Collection, the Village Voice reported. It will also host discussions and lectures and screen foreign and independent films. Theaters will feature digital projection and sound, with one screen capable of showing film prints, according to the weekly.

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“We feel the indie film community is underserved in terms of the number of screens there are in Manhattan,” Cohen told the Voice. “The proximity to [New York University] means there will be a natural audience of film lovers.”

Cohen did not disclose the terms of the deal, but said the owner, Maurice Kanbar, chose him over higher bidders because of his dedication to renewing the movie house. [Village Voice]Tom DiChristopher