High School Turned Movie Theater

Buildings have a way of being transformed from their original state into something different as years go on. You see it with old houses, turned into businesses and apartments turned into learning centers, but have you ever seen a high school turned into a movie theater?

Today I visited one of the best movie theaters I've ever been to. The Megaplex 17 at Jordan Commons. The theater was build by Larry H. Miller, former owner of the Utah Jazz Basketball team, and was once an old school called Jordan High School. Opened on November 5th 1999, this theater has 17 auditoriums, a VIP screening room, a cold stone creamery, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Store and is the largest in the Salt Lake City Area.

The gym was turned into an IMAX theater. They kept all the bathrooms and just upgraded them. The inside of the movie main entrance of the theater looks like a Disneyland theme park. The high ceilings with fake buildings all around. The bright lights and signs capture the eyes immediately. Currently, they are a cashless theater so upon entry you can order you tickets on the kiosk along with your food and drinks, then pick your items up at the pick up window. If you aren't sure what you want you can go to the food service area and order, you just have to use your credit or debit card.

The movie theater cost $107 million dollars to build (about 30 percent more than other theaters). According to Desert News, Owner Larry H. Miller said, "I've seen how it doesn't make sense on paper right now. But it will make money. I know it will. At least I don't have to worry about it being replicated." And he is right. There hasn't been one duplicated anywhere. The Megaplex 17 @ Jordan Commons was the top- grossing movie theater in the world when it sold 120,000 tickets for Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl back in July 2002 and has since been bringing in high sales for "must see" films.

The seating in the theater is upscale and comfortable. You can choose your own seats ahead of time. The seats have heaters and recline. You have a tray table attached to each seat to hold your food and drinks. It is like you are watching a movie in the comfort of your own home, but better.

The lobby is like a whole universe. There is so much to see you want to take photos of it. It can be called a little city. With self serving drink stations to their very own merchandise store, this is a must visit movie theater. According to an article by Desert News, this theater seats 5,000 and the 17th theater seats 456 people and shows large-format 70mm films on screen 60 feet high by 80 feet wide with a 15,000 watt, 6-track digital sound system.

This is more than a theater. It is a place to be amazed and dazzled by your experience. From the time you walk in the door to the time you walk out of it. The food seemed better than most theaters and was cheaper too. Which is surprising compared to the cost it took to build the theater. Our mid day movie ticket cost $11 and our food and snacks were about 20% cheaper than normal movie theaters. We used no coupons or discounts.

If you have a chance to experience this you will not regret it. So, what happened to the high school? It was demolished in 1997 to make way for a bigger high school building nearby. Before it was called Jordan High School it was called "People's College". Simplified, from 1907 -1914 the school was a college of all ages that started of just seven students that use to meet in a basement of a church in Midvae. The leader of the students was Weston Morley. Students began to put their money together and more and more students came. They got so big they needed an actual school. They called it The People's College because it was founded by the students and people and welcomed students of all ages. The new Jordan High School is located at 9351 South State Street.

Overall, the use of this old high school area turned into a movie theater complex and so much more has helped rebuild the area and provide a luxurious place to relax and watch movies. If you ever get a chance to check it out on your own let us know how you liked it. Stay safe, stay focused and stay traveling. Happy Travels.