A downtown Victoria movie theatre that has sat vacant for several years will soon be firing up the projectors once again.

The former Empire Capitol 6 multiplex will re-open under a new name after it was bought by an U.S.-based businessman with ties to Victoria.

Crews have already been seen tearing out seats from the six-theatre building on the corner of Blanshard and Yates

CTV News has learned Andrew Golin, a partner in Regency Theatres, which operates nearly 30 theatres in California, Nevada and Arizona, plans to rebrand the site.

“I grew up in Victoria and always loved this place, and saw an opportunity in the downtown market,” Golin said. “I’ve grown up in the theatre business and understand how it works.”

Golin said the new theatre will play first-run films, putting it in direct competition with the Cineplex Odeon theatre just a few steps away on Yates Street.

When asked how the theatre will compete with Netflix, which some have said pose a threat to the industry, Golin played coy.

“Well…I’ll just say wait and see what we have in store,” he said.

More details including a theatre name will be released next month, but Golin said his plan is to be playing movies by the end of August.

The building is owned by Jawl Properties Ltd., which also owns the Atrium building just across the street.