The owner of the Hyatt Regency Greenwich recently submitted an application to the Greenwich Planning & Zoning commission for a Zoning Text Amendment and Change of Use Permit for the hotel’s movie theater.
In a Dec 10, 2025 letter to the commission, attorney for the applicant said an existing, under-utilized conference center auditorium, located just off the lobby, had been converted into a 40-seat movie theater open to hotel guests and the public.
Building permits were sought and issued by the town and the hotel received a certificate of occupancy for the work completed.
But after the movie theater began operating, a question was raised about its classification under the town’s Building Zone Regulations, and whether a theater is permitted as an incidental use within the hotel.
Photo from hotel owner’s application file with Greenwich P&Z features Townsend Cinema at Hyatt Regency Greenwich.
All zones have permitted use groups. For example, Greenwich Avenue is zoned CGBR zone (Central Greenwich Business Retail) and on ground floors allowed uses include dry cleaners, grocery stores, package stores, and ironically, movie theaters.
The allowable uses created a challenge for the Tesla “gallery” at 340 Greenwich Avenue back in 2016, when the Zoning Board of Appeal noted that “selling, repairing and servicing cars” was not an allowable use.
Though the Tesla Gallery was ultimately approved, Tesla was not allowed to offer test drives, or use their 3 parking spaces at the rear of the building for corporate Teslas or charging stations.
Today, 340 Greenwich Ave is home to Vuori, who offer athletic clothing and active wear apparel.
The letter from the attorney for the Hyatt Regency Greenwich to P&Z, explains, “After completion, a question was raised as to the appropriate classification of the movie theater under the town’s Building Zone Regulations. To resolve this question, and after consultation with the Town Planning and Zoning Department, the Applicant hereby submits this application to respectfully request a proposed amendment to Sections 6-5(a)(30) and 6-5(a)(51.1) of the Town’s Building Zone Regulations to clarify that the Theater is permitted as an incidental use within the hotel. The applicant also requests a Change of Use Permit for the completed conversion of the accessory auditorium to the incidental theater within the hotel.”
Photo of Hyatt Regency Greenwich from the application file.
The narrative explains that hotel, located on 14+ acres, is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026.
In 2022 investment funds managed by Trinity Investments, a private real estate firm specializing in hotels and hospitality, acquired the Hotel to reposition it in the marketplace.
Located at 1800 East Putnam Ave in Old Greenwich near the Stamford line, the hotel originally part of Conde Nast’s headquarters. It is mapped in a GB Business Zoning where hotels are permitted as part of Use Group 6.
The hotel was originally approved by the town’s P&Z commission in 1984 and in 1995 the commission approved outdoor dining patios, terraces and canopied areas.
The current owners began major interior renovations to the hotel in 2023 and the property has undergone a $35 million renovation “reimagining the property as a regional standout in luxury accommodations.”
The renovations were nearly completed by the end of 2024, and included 374 renovated guest rooms, event space, an art deco atrium, state of the art fitness center, indoor saltwater pool and new dining options at Townsend Bar and Glenna’s Cafe and Market.
Starting in summer of 2025, the hotel operated the “Townsend Cinema,” which the narrative describes as a high-end movie experience in a bespoke intimate setting.
The movie theater, which is also available for private events, supports first run movies through the owners distribution agreement with Monoplex.
Movie goers enjoy oversized heated recliners and Dolby 7.1 surround sound. As a hotel amenity, the movie theater is marketed as part of the Townsend Bar for dinner and show seating, or cocktails and gourmet snacks.
As of Sunday, Dec 28, the theater is featuring Avatar: Fire and Ash. Click here for show times and menus.
The question for P&Z is whether the space should be classified as an incidental screening room or a movie theater, given the general public has access to purchase tickets. While an indoor theater is a permitted use in GB Zone, as a principal use it requires by definition a minimum of 150 fixed seats.
The applicant hopes a simple zoning text amendment with parameters to limit the size of an incidental theater in a hotel will be appropriate.
The next P&Z commission meeting is Jan 6, 2026. The Hyatt application is not on the agenda, though it is only a tentative agenda at the time of this publication.