A drive-in on a garage roof
Level 8 pop-up at the Grove brings together classic cars and movies up on the roof.
Monthly at the Grove, a movie series brings outdoor watching to a new generation.
In the 1880s, Illinois farmer Arthur Fremont Gilmore migrated to Los Angeles and bought 256 acres of land in the Fairfax area.
After discovering oil on the property, the family opened a series of attractions, including the iconic Farmers Market and the Gilmore Drive-In Movie Theater, at 3rd and Fairfax. The drive-in had a capacity of 650 cars and operated from 1948 until 1978; it was razed five years later.
The Farmers Market now stands just steps from the Grove, which was developed in 2002 by Rick Caruso. In a full-circle moment, Caruso has launched Level 8, a popup rooftop summer movie series atop the Grove’s parking garage, in homage to Gilmore’s Drive-In.
“We wanted to bring back the glamour of old Hollywood by combining the joy of moviegoing with the nostalgia of drive-in movie theaters,” said Jackie Levy, executive vice president of operations at Caruso. “Angelenos are continually seeking new experiences. There’s a whole generation that has never had the opportunity to visit a drive-in, so in some ways, what’s old is new again. This is a great opportunity for that generation to experience something that is so fondly remembered by the generation before them.”
The series gets its name from the top level of the Grove’s parking structure, where the films are shown. “There’s no question that Level 8 as a venue is unbeatable,” Levy said.
Held in partnership with the nearby Petersen Automotive Museum and luxury car dealership O’Gara Coach Co., the series offers about 20 luxury cars, including Bentley GTCs, Rolls Royce Phantom Dropheads, Lamborghini Huracan Spyders and Aston Martin DB11 Volantes, for VIP guests to watch the films in.
Other partners include Uber, which sponsors a seated lounge for guests who’ve used the ride-share service, and Citi, a longtime partner of Caruso. Topo Chico provides complimentary movie snacks including popcorn, candy and soda.
“We realize the importance of modernizing the drive-in movie concept for today’s audience,” said Levy. The partnerships “allowed us to introduce a fun, interactive element to each screening, making it more intimate and special.”
The films were chosen for their iconic wheels.
“The common thread between all the films we chose is that each one showcases an iconic vehicle, a moving piece of cinematic history,” Levy said.
The series kicked off in June with 1978’s “Grease,” with the 1949 “Grease Lightning” Ford convertible on display. Upcoming screenings include 1985’s “Back to the Future” with the DeLorean “Time Machine”; 2013’s “The Great Gatsby” with Gatsby’s 1932 red Duesenberg; and 2008’s “Iron Man,” with Tony Stark’s 1932 flame-embellished Ford Flathead Roadster
The experience is free for guests who secure tickets on the Grove’s website. Moviegoers are welcome to sit in their own vehicles. For reservations and more information, visit TheGroveLA.com.