21 years after its successful opening at Heizel as the world's first and largest megaplex, Kinepolis Brussels received a thorough facelift. From today onwards, Belgian cinema-goers and congress participants can visit Kinepolis Brussels to discover the latest gadgets, innovations and facilities. Today the press got a glimpse of what's new both in front of and behind the screens at the renovated Kinepolis complex.
To help steer the Brussels film fan into the future, the Kinepolis Group recently renovated and gave a total makeover to its cinema in the Heizel Park, Kinepolis Brussels. The works started on 20 April and were completed on 15 June.
The whole building was thoroughly restyled, and now looks even more spacious and harmonious. The main entrance was completely renovated and 16 hi-tech booking counters inaugurated. The rear entrance was closed permanently. On both floors, the fast lanes were replaced with large self-service shops, where visitors can find a wide variety of cold and warm snacks, as well as a healthy range of snacks.
Kinepolis has created a digital environment, not only via digital projectors and films, but also via numerous digital signs, advertisement, programme and information screens. Out of the 24 auditoriums, till today 19 have already been digitalised. 3D digital films are shown in 3 of the auditoriums.
The digitalisation of the cinema medium ensures a better audio and visual quality, and offers a broader programme with many new entertainment possibilities and B-to-B applications.
The digital offer of events shown on the big screen in live or recorded format, such as operas, plays, television series, concerts and sports competitions, is undergoing a fascinating development and arousing increasing interest among the public.
With three B-to-B spaces (550 m², 450 m², 350 m²), accommodating a total capacity of 1500 visitors, Kinepolis Brussels satisfies the large demand of companies for spacious, easily accessible and professionally equipped conference and reception halls in Brussels. Each B-to-B space is fitted with separate sanitary, kitchen, bar and audio-visual facilities. Via the specially adapted conference infrastructure and service, intensive media campaigns and successful partnerships, Kinepolis Brussels is being promoted more strongly than ever as a B2B location.
In various ways, Kinepolis fans will be shown how much they are appreciated on the occasion of the inauguration of the new look of the building. Schools and companies will also be specifically targeted and invited to get acquainted with the renovated Kinepolis.
To celebrate the "transformation", Kinepolis is organising the evening premiere of "Transformers Revenge of the Fallen" on Tuesday 23 June at 8 pm. In addition, large numbers of vouchers will be distributed via numerous media channels in the Brussels region, with which people can go to the Kinepolis for a reduced price (€ 5.50) till end June. On the 4th of October Kinepolis takes part in the Enterprise Discovery Day.
More info regarding the programme of events for the public on www.kinepolis.com/transformingbrussels
About Kinepolis Brussels
Kinepolis Brussels (24 auditoriums, 6 827 seats) first opened its doors in 1988. Kinepolis Brussels was the first of the Kinepolis cinemas and also the world's first and largest megaplex. Soon after the opening, the then revolutionary Imax auditorium was added to Kinepolis (closed in 2005). In less than quarter of a century, the mega cinema at Heizel Park took the lead in introducing numerous innovations with regard to image technology, sound engineering and new concepts. In 2007, all seats in the cinema were numbered, and since then the Brussels film fan can reserve his seat in advance (online or otherwise). In spring 2009, Kinepolis Brussels was thoroughly restyled after 21 years of operations.
About Kinepolis Group
Through its network of cinemas, Kinepolis offers recreation and modern entertainment to all generations. The Kinepolis concept is characterised by a continuous drive towards innovation and customer-orientation.
In the area of technology, this has led in the past years to the digitalisation of the cinema medium and the development of 3D cinema.
In terms of content, the programme has been composed in an alternative manner with sports, cultural or social events alongside traditional feature films.
Since its establishment in 1997 and the subsequent stock market listing in 1998, Kinepolis has developed into the market leader in Belgium and a leading player in Europe. Kinepolis has 23 cinema complexes in Belgium, France, Spain, Poland and Switzerland. The Group has approximately 1400 employees and it received 21.9 million visitors in 2008. The revenues for 2008 amounted to € 216.9 million.