In the Bucharest of the 1970s, when going to the cinema was one of the most cherished forms of entertainment, a building rose in the Drumul Taberei neighborhood that would become, for entire generations, a place of joy, imagination, and emotion: Cinema Favorit. At a time when people gathered to watch films as if attending a celebration, Favorit was considered a true “palace of film,” an architectural gem of its era, second only to the imposing Cinema Patria on Magheru Boulevard.

A palace of film in the heart of Drumul Taberei

Its enormous hall, with more than one thousand seats, was a landmark attraction for residents of Sector 6 and beyond. The elegant atmosphere, comfortable seats, spacious lobby, and modern chandelier that dominated the ceiling created a sense of refinement few cinemas could offer in those times. 

For young people coming to see the great Romanian and international productions, every evening spent at Favorit was a memorable experience.

The building quickly became an urban reference point, and the square in front of the cinema served as a popular meeting place. 

Friends gathered there, shared news, made plans for the weekend. In the foyer, people discussed their expectations about the films to come, and afterwards debated every scene, every line, every actor. During its golden years, Cinema Favorit was more than a projection hall—it was a social hub, a space that breathed culture.

From the glory of the ’70s to post-revolution decline

For two decades, Cinema Favorit stood at the center of cultural life in Drumul Taberei. Every weekend, long lines formed outside, and tickets sold out quickly. 

Both Romanian blockbusters and international productions were screened—from Soviet dramas to French action films or American westerns. For the youth of the time, a night at the movies was an adventure in itself.

However, after the political and economic changes of the 1990s, once the market opened and shopping malls with modern multiplexes appeared, the magic of traditional cinemas began to fade. 

Favorit, like many other movie theaters in the capital, fell into a slow but irreversible decline. Lack of investment, deterioration of infrastructure, and administrative neglect turned what had once been a symbol into a forgotten, dusty, almost derelict building.

Even after it stopped functioning, the place remained alive in people’s memories. Each generation had its own story linked to Favorit—from the first films watched with parents to evenings spent with friends or moments when a good movie made one forget the grayness of everyday life in communist times.

For nearly two decades, the building stood abandoned. Its walls crumbled, plaster fell, the roof gave way. And yet, the symbolic value of the site endured. “Favorit is not just a building, it is part of the soul of Sector 6,” locals would often say.

The promise of rebirth: from ruin to cultural center

After years of waiting and debate, the dream of revival began to take shape. The local administration of Sector 6 decided to breathe new life into the emblematic building, transforming the old cinema into a modern cultural center—a place meant once again to bring the community together.

City officials emphasized that the restoration was not only about rebuilding walls, but about reviving a symbol. “Favorit is not just a building, but a symbol of the community. 

The memories born here, from unforgettable movie nights to stories shared with friends, are part of the soul of Sector 6. The modernization of this space is a promise to keep the cultural tradition alive,” reads the official statement.

The new project, designed by architect Radu Teacă, combines traditional architecture with contemporary innovation. The future Favorit Cultural Center will preserve the spirit of the place while bringing it fully into the 21st century, with a modern design, multifunctional halls, and state-of-the-art facilities.

Aedificia Carpați, the company known for restoring historical landmarks such as the Constanța Casino, was selected as the general contractor. 

Construction works are in full swing, and engineers and workers are currently installing the building’s outer shell, which will later be covered with a titanium-zinc finish. According to the Sector 6 City Hall, this phase is expected to be completed within three to four months.

The total value of the contract is estimated at 88.52 million lei (excluding VAT), with the completion date set for the summer of 2026.

A unique cultural center for the world

City officials promise that the future Favorit Cultural Center will be one of a kind. Its façade will feature a gigantic screen, designed for outdoor projections, visual spectacles, and interactive events, a striking blend of architecture, technology, and art, transforming the building into a true urban stage for all generations.

Inside, the spaces will be completely reconfigured. In addition to a large performance and screening hall, there will be numerous multifunctional rooms for cultural and educational activities. The project also includes dedicated areas for children, young people, and seniors, turning the new Favorit into a place of intergenerational exchange.

Following public consultations, residents requested a wide variety of activities: language courses, ballet and dance lessons, theater workshops, computer and chess classes. The new Favorit will also include halls that can host school performances, community celebrations, and cultural events.

“We envisioned a space for everyone. Favorit will become the place where art, education, and community meet—a space where children can learn, young people can express themselves, and seniors can enjoy cultural events,” explained architect Radu Teacă.

The project is carried out with the support of several key partners, Tehnoinstal, Schindler Romania, and Ovo Design Furniture Group, each contributing to the transformation of Favorit into a benchmark cultural institution.

Favorit, between memory and the future

The story of Cinema Favorit is, in essence, the story of a city rediscovering its roots. The Bucharest of the 1970s, with its cultural enthusiasm and creative energy, is being symbolically reborn through this project. In an era dominated by digital screens and instant entertainment, the revival of an authentic cultural venue feels almost like an act of defiance.

For residents of Drumul Taberei, the restoration of Favorit means far more than rebuilding a structure, it means reclaiming a piece of their identity. “That’s where I saw my first movie, where I first went to the cinema with my parents, where I laughed and cried. It’s not just a building—it’s a living memory,” locals recall nostalgically.

The Favorit Cultural Center aims to rekindle that old community energy, reimagined for a new age. The old theater seats may be gone, but the sense of belonging and emotional connection will remain.

A new beginning for urban culture

In a Bucharest often suffocated by apartment blocks, traffic, and chaos, the emergence of a large-scale cultural space is like a breath of fresh air. The new Favorit will serve as a veritable agora for Sector 6—a meeting place, a creative space, a dialogue between generations.

Once completed, the center will host not only films but also theater performances, concerts, exhibitions, conferences, and festivals. The goal is to transform Drumul Taberei into a cultural hub of the capital, offering residents access to high-quality events without having to cross the city.

Moreover, the massive exterior screen visible from the street will turn the building into a contemporary architectural landmark. On summer evenings, outdoor screenings and visual events will revive the magic of open-air cinema—a poetic return to the origins of film.

Favorit – the symbol reborn

Today, when you pass through the Drumul Taberei neighborhood, the scaffolding and construction machinery surrounding the old Cinema Favorit no longer look like signs of decay, but rather like symbols of rebirth. Behind them lies a promise: that the place which once made people’s hearts beat faster will come alive again, in a new, modern form, yet just as full of life.

The story of Favorit is not only about architecture or urban planning. It is about a neighborhood and a community that refuses to forget its past and seeks to build a genuine cultural future.

When the works are completed in the summer of 2026 and the lights turn on once more in the great hall, perhaps the first images projected on the new screen will be those of the old cinema—the “palace of film” of the 1970s, where Bucharest once dared to dream with eyes wide open.

Until then, Favorit remains a story about memory, identity, and renewal—a testament to the idea that places which once meant something to people never truly die; they return, stronger than before, when a community keeps them alive in its heart.

We also recommend: Symbols of Bucharest: Cinema Patria, the ARO Building, the Construction of Ion Creangă’s Nephew