Construction begins in the River Market for the Arcade Building

LITTLE ROCK, AR - Ground was officially broken for a new, mixed-use building in Little Rocks dynamic River Market District, according to a release.

The building, which will be known as the ARCADE BUILDING, is a three-story, 60,000 square foot structure to contain retail space, a 325 seat theatre, a restaurant and office space.

The project is a joint venture between the Central Arkansas Library System and Moses Tucker Real Estate. The Arcade obtained construction financing from First Security Bank. Construction services will be handled by Clark Contractors and Central Construction Group. The building is due to be complete by November 2013.

The name Arcade is in honor of a landmark structure that once resided in downtown LR on Center Street between 6th & 7th, according to Jimmy Moses, partner with MTRE.

As we continue to redevelop our urban core, we think it is important to evoke memories of our citys past, too much of which has been destroyed over time, Moses said.

The buildings largest user is CALS, which will have a state-of-the-art movie theatre and additional archival space.

We have worked out an agreement with the Little Rock Film Festival (and its Institute) to be the host facility for the nationally acclaimed Little Rock Film Festival, CALS director Bobby Roberts said. We will also make the theatre available for events including the Clinton School Speaker Series, CALS Literary Festival and other public functions.

Co-founder of the Little Rock Film Festival Craig Renaud said the festival will relocate its offices to the buildings third floor.

Since our founding six years ago The Little Rock Film Festival has gained a critical reputation as one of the top film events in the United States. A grand flagship theater to call home in the middle of downtown Little Rock has been our goal since day one, Renaud said. We are proud and excited to base our rapidly expanding year round festival events in the new venue, which will rival any in the country. The Little Rock Film Festival also plans to offer an educational program to young Arkansas film-makers.

The $17 million development will be home to several entities including a bar/restaurant to be called CACHE that will be owned and operated by RH Cuisine. Situated on the corner of Clinton Avenue and River Market Avenue, with space on the 1st and 2nd floors, CACHE will be a dramatic new food and beverage concept for Little Rock. Payne Harding, who trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, will be involved in every facet of the restaurant. He has recently been instrumental in the rebirth of 1620 Savoy in west Little Rock.

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Construction begins in the River Market for the Arcade Building