Big Newport Theater Site Could Be Replaced by New High-Rise Condos
A major redevelopment proposal in Newport Beach could dramatically reshape the site of the long-standing Big Newport movie theater. Plans approved by the Newport Beach Planning Commission call for demolishing the iconic theater and replacing it with two 22-story residential towers that would include roughly 150 condominiums along with ground-floor retail and dining space.
The Big Newport first opened in 1969 and has long been a recognizable cultural landmark in the area, even serving as a venue for screenings during the Newport Beach Film Festival. Supporters of the project say the redevelopment could modernize the Newport Center area and bring new housing close to Fashion Island, while critics and longtime moviegoers worry about losing a historic entertainment venue that has been part of the community for decades.
Read more: https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2026-03-06/big-newport-condos