Round Lake Beach’s Regal Cinemas to Become Family Entertainment Center

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. — A Texas-based developer plans to transform the vacant Regal Cinemas into a family entertainment center, featuring seven movie screens, a full-service restaurant, games, and more. Thakkar Developers of McKinney, Texas, aims to turn the former theater, located at 550 E. Rollins Road, into a hub for fun and recreation.

The Regal Cinemas site was among 39 locations closed in early 2023 by parent company Cineworld Group, following its bankruptcy filing. Thakkar acquired the property at auction, according to Gil Rivera, Round Lake Beach‘s economic development director. “We spoke to them immediately after they won the auction,” Rivera said. “We’re very pleased with the new owners and they’re very receptive.”

Poorvesh Thakkar, one of the owners, said the company was attracted to the village due to several factors, including a strong market analysis and the village’s support for their concept. The theater purchase was completed at the end of 2023, but plans faced delays after an arson fire in April 2024 damaged significant parts of the building, including screens and projector rooms.

This upcoming 72,000-square-foot entertainment center will not only include movie screens but also features like ax throwing, dedicated space for meetings and parties, and potentially a multilevel indoor electric go-kart track. The village announced that final plans are expected to be submitted this summer, with a grand opening slated for 2026.

“When this facility opens, it will offer something for everyone and truly be a major draw for Round Lake Beach, attracting not only residents from our village but visitors from across Lake and McHenry counties,” said Mayor Scott Nickles.

Thakkar Developers has ongoing projects in Dallas, including developments of single-family and multifamily homes, office spaces, retail projects, and entertainment centers. This project in Round Lake Beach marks Thakkar’s second family entertainment center, modeled after a similar project currently under construction in Irving, Texas. Village officials recently toured that facility and were reportedly impressed with its concept and prospects for success.

Rivera noted that this development, along with new restaurants in progress, aligns with the village’s vision of enhancing an “already vibrant retail and entertainment corridor.”