Westwood Village redux? (multiplex theater competition in Los Angeles, California)

In Westwood Village, the battle of the multiplexes has begun. On the Village's northeast corner is the proposed Village Center Westwood, a 5-acre parcel that would include a football field-sized plaza surrounded by retail shops, restaurants, a Ralphs supermarket, a 12,000-square-foot public library and a 3,400-seat multiplex theater. The project is spearheaded by developer Ira Smedra's Arba Group, and he recently confirmed a deal with Pacific Theatres to operate the movie complex.

On the Village's west side is Regent Properties' proposed Westwood Marketplace, a 120,000-square-foot retail and entertainment complex with cafes, restaurants and specialty shops. Mann Theatres is expected to operate a 2,700-seat multiplex, replacing its existing Westwood Four, Regent and possibly the Festival and National movie theaters.

To complicate matters further, former Cineworld president Jeff Lewine recently agreed to purchase …