Gulf Construction Online - Losberger De Boer eyes booming cinema market

Saudi Arabia

An artist’s impression of a modular temporary cinema structure proposed by Losberger De Boer.

Losberger De Boer eyes booming cinema market

01 May 2019

Losberger De Boer, a key supplier of bespoke turnkey temporary structures for major events, is set to deploy its wide range of semi-permanent building solutions for the speedy construction of theatres in the kingdom following the recent lifting of the 35-year ban on cinemas.

The company’s wide range of semi-permanent building solutions can be constructed and made operational within two to six months, depending on the size and style of the building. Shorter lead times reflect their prefabricated, modular nature.

By opting for non-permanent structures, cinema operators can begin generating revenue and open more screens on an accelerated schedule, remarks Waleed Khaled, the regional sales director at Losberger De Boer Middle East.

Khaled ... sustainable solution for cinema operators.

He points out that the modular temporary structures offered a sustainable solution for cinema operators in the kingdom who are seeking entrance into the market.

“Losberger De Boer’s temporary structures, such as the Delta and Emperor structures, offer not only faster build times but also provide a significant degree of flexibility to cinema operators. Offering an alternative to cinemas located in malls, they offer the option to construct stand-alone multiplexes in unique locations, such as entertainment hubs, throughout the kingdom,” explains Khaled.

“Providing new entertainment options, such as cinemas, aims to redirect some of this spending back into the kingdom. PwC estimates Saudi Arabia’s box office market value could increase to $950 million by 2030 and the cinema industry could potentially generate revenues in excess of $1.5 billion,” says Khaled.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the Cinema Build KSA forum last month at the Four Seasons hotel in Riyadh. Losberger De Boer was a major sponsor for the two-day event, which was organised by Eyes of Cities in collaboration with Great Minds Event Management.

During the event, the company presented cinema concepts for Saudi Arabia and wider Middle East market. The designs accommodate 150 and 300-seat configurations, with the flexibility to link multiple buildings to a central structure via enclosed walkways. Once built, these multiplexes will be the first of their kind in the kingdom.

All of Losberger De Boer’s structures can be altered and upgraded to meet and exceed client requirements, states Khaled.

“For example, the Delta is available in 5 by 5-m modules and can be built to a height of between 3.5 and 10 m. All four sides of the structure can be extended, connecting up to 10 basic elements, allowing operators to add large numbers of screens. The Emperor’s modular design also makes it easy to expand,” he adds.

Losberger De Boer Middle East is no newcomer to the Saudi Arabia entertainment sector. The company accelerated the launch of the iconic Qiddiya entertainment, sports and cultural destination project by supplying an integrated complex of 15 semi-permanent buildings of varying shapes and sizes.

The Losberger De Boer crew worked 9,360 hours over 36 days plus internal fit-out time, which allowed the turnkey delivery of this extensive project to be achieved within only 60 days, compared to one to two years for traditional permanent builds.

In addition to the structures being fabricated using high-quality raw materials, including aluminium and steel columns, they can also be built to purpose. The specifications of the structures can be modified and upgraded to meet authority permit requirements, including fire safety.

In 2018, Losberger De Boer delivered an award-winning 190-m-long pit lane together with second-floor VIP hospitality and spectator viewing facilities for the kingdom’s first international electric motor sports event.

“We project managed the turnkey delivery of the entire pit lane structure to support this event. The entire structure was erected within 40 days and dismantled immediately following race day,” notes Khaled.

Losberger De Boer has a long history of delivering iconic projects in the region and internationally. Regardless of how large the building or how many buildings are required, the organisation has the capacity and expertise to hand over operational structures within record-breaking timeframes, says the official.

The modular temporary structures allow cinema operators to start generating revenues at a far faster pace than is possible when building permanent structures, he adds.