The Sotetsu Group has announced that the Sotetsu Movie Building, which houses a cinema and various stores at the west exit of Yokohama Station, will close its doors on September 30. Alongside, the adjacent Thousand Club live house and the dining area known as Yokohama West Exit Ichibangai will also cease operations, as part of an integrated redevelopment plan for the area. This initiative aims to transform the site, which has been home to the movie theater since its opening in November 1988, into a more attractive space for the community.

The Sotetsu Movie Building, originally launched with five cinema screens, has seen a decline in its offerings over the years. Previous tenants like the Sotetsu Honda Theatre and jazz bars have closed down in the 2010s, leaving the building with 17 remaining tenants, including the movie theater, a live house, and eateries. This closure marks the second iteration of the movie building's legacy, as the first was constructed in 1971, prior to the current tower that now supports the Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers.

Aligned with the broader vision for the west exit of Yokohama Station, the Sotetsu Group previously unveiled the "Yokohama Station West Exit Major Renovation Plan" in September of the previous year. This plan emphasizes creating a comfortable gathering space, a water-friendly environment accessible to everyone, and prioritizing pedestrian safety and movement. In anticipation of its closure, the Sotetsu Group is also planning to host events leading up to the shutdown, bringing the community together one last time before redevelopment commences.