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The Bay Theater, a Southern California venue in the Pacific Palisades that has been closed since January 2025 when wildfires devastated the community, is expected to be restored and reopened soon, with the support of Paramount Pictures and Los Angeles developer Rick Caruso.
Paramount and Caruso announced Tuesday a long-term agreement for the Bay Theater in Palisades City. The theater will be operated by The Lot, which is a luxury cinema chain. The Bay will present first-run theatrical releases and other repertory titles, events, and special programs and will be equipped with luxury seating, dining and signature cocktails. The Bay Theater is located at 1035 N. Swarthmore Avenue in Pacific Palisades.
Under the stewardship of Paramount, the venue will likely be home to premieres and other experimental activities and theatrical events. Plans are currently underway to reopen the theatre’s doors, with a grand opening date expected later this year to be announced in the coming weeks.
“Together with Caruso, we are proud to help bring the Bay back to life as a place for the Pacific Palisades community to gather around the shared experience of cinema,” Skydance Chairman and Co-CEO David Ellison said in a statement. “This theater has meant more than the movies themselves – it is woven into the fabric of this community, and it is an honor to restore it. We are inspired by the resilience of the residents of Pacific Palisades, and we are honored to support the return of this community.”
“Crucial is one of the world’s leading entertainment studios, with an incredible legacy of cinematic storytelling and, importantly, a deep commitment to the city of Los Angeles and to the future of the theatrical experience,” Caruso said in a statement. “Together, we see an opportunity to bring that to the Bay with the care, design and hospitality we’re known for, so that every visit feels special. The Bay has always been at the heart of the Palisades, and it’s back as one of the most important signs yet that this community, after the reopening of the town of Palisades this summer, is coming back stronger than ever. Leadership and David’s commitment to Los Angeles and the entertainment industry.”
Adolfo Fastlicht, Founder and CEO of The Lot, said, “We are extremely proud to enter into this partnership and lead the operation of such a historic and beloved venue. Our goal is to perfectly complement the cinematic vision of Paramount Pictures and the beautiful retail destination of Caruso by delivering a flawless high-end hospitality experience. Be shared.”
Paramount isn’t the only studio now saving a long-closed location in Los Angeles, as Sony is helping reopen the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood under the Alamo Drafthouse operation.
