Valley Vu Drive-In: A Teen Hangout Turned Senior Haven
From Valley Vu Drive-In to Valley Vu Villas
The Valley Vu Drive-In opened in 1955 and quickly became a favorite hangout for kids and families from Granger and Hunter. Summer evenings were filled with the excitement of movies under the stars, the smell of popcorn, and the chatter of teenagers piling into cars. For decades, it was a cherished community gathering place where many local memories were made.
By the late 1990s, the drive-in closed and was demolished, bringing an end to an era. Yet the land did not remain idle for long. In the early 2000s, the property at 3570 South 4800 West was reborn as Valley Vu Villas, a thoughtfully planned senior community designed for residents age 55 and older.
The transformation reflected a larger shift across the nation as the Baby Boom generation entered retirement, creating demand for housing that fit the needs of older adults. Developer Larry Lindstrom noted the excitement of building a new kind of community on such a nostalgic site, while partner Raymond Jenkins quipped that “watching a movie in your new condominium with new friends will be a lot more comfortable than the back seat of the old Ford.”
The Villas featured 80 single-level brick-and-stucco homes with spacious garages, exterior maintenance, and amenities including a clubhouse, swimming pool, and fitness room. Priced between $136,900 and $172,900, the homes were affordable to those on fixed incomes and quickly attracted buyers—many of them from within just a few blocks of the project.
Residents soon discovered a neighborly, close-knit community. The average age was 73, and gatherings in the clubhouse, fitness activities, and easy access to nearby family and shopping centers made the Villas a popular choice. The success of the project inspired plans for 96 additional units in the new Hunter Village development east of 7200 West between 3100 and 3500 South.
Today, while the drive-in exists only in memory, its spirit of community connection lives on. The land that once brought families and friends together for movies under the stars now provides comfort, security, and companionship for seniors in their golden years
CJ (Christopher John)
CJ (Christopher John)
