One of South Chennai's most recognisable cinema landmarks, the erstwhile Theyagaraja Theatre in Tiruvanmiyur, is set for a new innings. The nearly one-acre property on Lattice Bridge Road (LB Road) will be redeveloped into a ₹500-crore mixed-use commercial project comprising retail, office space and a modern multiplex under a joint development agreement between Chennai-based BBCL and the theatre-owning Theyagaraja family, according to a report in The Hindu BusinessLine.
The Deal
BBCL, part of Vummidi Enterprises, has signed the joint development agreement with the owners of the iconic theatre, which has been a landmark in the Adyar-Tiruvanmiyur neighbourhood for decades. “We have signed a joint development with the owners of Theyagaraja Theatre, a very old and reputed family. We are developing it into a commercial development having retail, theatre and office,” BBCL Managing Director Ananth Vummidi told businessline.
The project will retain a cinema, which will continue to be operated by the Theyagaraja family after redevelopment. “The project is a joint development with the Theyagaraja family, which will run the theatres,” Vummidi said. Detailed plans for the project are being finalised, following which the company will seek statutory approvals to construct more than two lakh square feet of built-up area, he added.
Project Details
The estimated gross development value (GDV) of around ₹500 crore reflects the high land value in the area. The project will be a mixed-use development incorporating retail, office space, and a modern multiplex. The table below summarises key aspects:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Lattice Bridge Road (LB Road), Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai |
| Total area | Nearly one acre |
| Built-up area | More than 2,00,000 sq ft |
| Estimated GDV | ₹500 crore |
| Components | Retail, office space, multiplex |
| Developer | BBCL (Vummidi Enterprises) |
| Partner | Theyagaraja family (cinema operator) |
| Status | Approvals pending; detailed plans being finalised |
Neighbourhood Landmark
For generations of moviegoers in Adyar, Tiruvanmiyur and neighbouring localities, Theyagaraja Theatre was much more than a cinema hall. Along with the nearby Jayanthi Theatre, it served as a neighbourhood institution that hosted several major Tamil film releases through the 1980s and 1990s, drawing audiences from across South Chennai.
Opened as a large single-screen cinema, Theyagaraja became one of the preferred venues for first-day screenings of blockbuster Tamil films. Around the 2010s, as multiplexes reshaped urban cinema exhibition, the property was renovated into a two-screen multiplex under the S2 Cinemas brand. Following PVR’s acquisition of Sathyam Cinemas, it continued to operate as S2 Cinemas Theyagaraja while retaining its historic name.
The redevelopment mirrors the transformation of Chennai’s traditional standalone cinema halls into mixed-use real estate assets. A senior real estate industry executive told businessline that the economics of running standalone theatres have become increasingly challenging because of high land values and rising operating costs. Several iconic Chennai theatres, including Shanthi, Anand and Wellington, have already given way to commercial developments.
Changing Cityscape
For BBCL, the project marks another addition to its portfolio of premium developments across Chennai. “We have been in property development for about 40 years. Currently, we are developing high-end residential projects on Chamiers Road, Greenways Road, Madipakkam and Thiruverkadu. Some of our landmark projects include BBCL Breeze Residences,” Vummidi said.
For longtime residents, the redevelopment evokes mixed emotions. Vaitheeswaran, 60, a Tiruvanmiyur resident and a regular patron of Theyagaraja Theatre, said he was saddened when the old single-screen cinema was replaced by the multiplex, although he appreciated the improved comfort it offered. “The redevelopment is good for the neighbourhood, which lacks quality commercial buildings. But I will miss the experience of going to a real theatre,” he said.
The project is expected to proceed after statutory approvals are secured.
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