Address: 8* Austin Road West (West Kowloon reclamation area), Kowloon, Hong Kong. Location marker is determined by Google Maps. Knowledgeable locals can help me zero it in on this target.
(* edit: July 6, 2020 - Location marker moved to west side of Canton Road as per discussions beow)
Capacity: The cinema has a total area of 200,000 square feet no doubt by far the largest foot-and-tire print of all the Hong Kong theatres. Its features, described by Cinema Treasures, are worth repeating here:
"With the background of the skyline of the Hong Kong Island, the cinema has two 82-by-46 foot screens. Each screen has a capacity for 100 cars, 40 fixed seats in American classic cars and 10 VIP rooms with big windows converted from freight containers. The film sound is transmitted through 2.4 GHZ Wi-Fi Transmission System and received by the audio system in each car. The cinema has a snack kiosk with free delivery service. The snack order is sent by SMS message. Coming soon is an outdoor BBQ restaurant."
It was the first drive-in theatre in Hong Kong and likely designed for short term operation only until land development. Revenue from movie tickets could not compete - from a reader (see source below). Drive-In operated during the period January 4 - September 8, 2007, less than a year reportedly due to lack of business.
Sources:
- Cinema Treasures: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/18768
- Hong Kong Hustle: http://www.hongkonghustle.com/places/197/hong-kong-drive-in-movie-theat…
- Wikipedia's list of theatres no longer operating: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E5%B7%B2%E7%B5%90%E6%…
Comments
Location on map
The map currently incorrectly shows the drive-in cinema at 8 Austin Road, which in 2007 was, and as of today still is, the BP International House.
The drive-in cinema was located on 8 Austin Road *West* (meaning on the reclaimed land west of Canton Road). The cinema was on the south side of Austin Road West opposite what is now the high-speed rail station, close to Elements Mall. This address is currently a construction site and is slated to become part of the new West Kowloon art-culture-hub thing.
Drive-In Cinema
Thank you TST Dave for the correction. Updated - I have moved the marker to the west side of Canton Road south of the Elements Mall. Please let me know if it needs further adjustment Regards, Peter
Getting closer...
It was to the east of the new marker. It was south of the new high-speed rail station (the building in between Kowloon Station and Austin Station, labelled "West Kowloon Station" on Google Maps). The drive-in entrance was close to where east-west Austin Road West now confusingly starts to curve into north-south Austin Road.
22°18'06.6"N 114°09'51.0"E if that helps!
Cheers,Dave
Drive-In Cinema
Thanks you Dave. I used your coordinates to move the marker. Please let me know if further tuning is needed. Regards, Peter