NORTH BETHESDA

TO HAVE FIRST

iPic THEATERPLEX

ON EAST COAST

Federal Realty, developer of Bethesda Row, is bringing a 44,000 square foot, 8 screen iPic Entertainment theater to anchor its new Pike & Rose development at the Mid-Pike Plaza property.

What does this mean?

Upscale cuisine during the movies, and at a separate restaurant accessible to non-theatergoers, called Tansy.

A bar called Salt, with the first "Select and Serve" Wine Tower in Montgomery County.

All-reserved seating at the movies.

Unobstructed views upon micro-suede chairs complete with dining tables.

Premium seats add recliners, pillows and blankets (!!), and waiters to bring "chef-inspired creations" right to your seat.

iPic will compete most closely with the new, 15 screen cinemaplex coming soon to Westfield Montgomery Mall. That will have twice as many screens, new restaurants, but it is not known how its "bell-and-whistle" amenities will compare to those found at Pike & Rose.

Sounds like Regal Bethesda 10 will have to step up its game bigtime, as the iPic theater will be only a short Metro ride away, and Montgomery Mall is within easy driving distance.

The iPic theater will open in 2014.