Bloomington developer buys former AMC theater property for $5.28M
The former eastside AMC theater in Bloomington has changed hands. Curry Limited Partnership of Bloomington purchased the nearly 8-acre site at 1351 S. College Mall Road for $5, 280, 000, closing a sale that local records show took place on Jan. 30, 2026 (ET).
Sale details and property background
The property, located northeast of East Moores Pike and South College Mall Road/South Sare Road, most recently carried an assessed value of about $1. 6 million. The previous owner bought it in 2007 for $6. 3 million. The lot spans close to eight acres and includes the former theater complex that closed in September 2023 (ET).
Why the theater closed
The theater ceased operations in September 2023, with the chain citing the facility’s age and rising maintenance costs. it "routinely reviews the theatres in our circuit, as well as opportunities outside of our circuit and makes decisions based on what will best strengthen the company going forward. " Local patrons and community members had noted aging infrastructure and deferred upkeep in the months prior to the closure.
Buyer profile and local connections
Curry Limited Partnership was created in 1998 and lists Cary K. Curry as its registered agent and general partner. Cary Curry’s business address is the Curry Auto Center on E. Buick Cadillac Boulevard, roughly a half mile north of the former theater site. The partnership already holds other local commercial properties, including the building that houses a long-standing independent bookstore in town. Joseph Curry, a limited partner, said the new owners have had "a few discussions" about the property but that "At this time, there are no plans. "
What might happen next
The buyer’s existing footprint in the area, plus proximity to major retail corridors, leaves several plausible futures for the site: a commercial redevelopment tied to auto retail or services, a mixed-use retail center, or a longer-term land-holding until market conditions improve. Any conversion will require permitting and community review, and local leaders may press for uses that support jobs and nearby businesses.
Broader context for moviegoing and theater assets
The sale comes at a moment of continued change across the exhibition business. Movie-experience platforms and membership services have been expanding partnerships with major theater brands to add ticketing and bundled concessions to lifestyle subscriptions, signaling an appetite among consumers to pair cinema outings with broader leisure memberships. That evolving commerce environment can affect how operators value older single-screen or multi-screen suburban properties, particularly when upkeep costs are high and new distribution models make direct-to-consumer releases more common.
For now, the 1351 S. College Mall Road parcel will be one to watch. Its sale price — well above its most recent assessment but below the 2007 purchase price paid by the prior owner — underscores shifting valuation dynamics for legacy theater real estate in mid-sized American cities.
Filmogaz will monitor local permitting filings and statements from the partnership for any updates on redevelopment plans.
