Just in time for the Toronto International Film Festival, the Bell Lightbox Theatre opens with groundbreaking specs suited for movie lovers of all stripes.

Its distinctive box-in-a-box design from architectural group KPMB doesn’t just provide an ultramodern aesthetic, but it also enhances the building’s soundproofing method, the same used in the renowned Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

With financial support from private donors, including Research In Motion and the Reitman family, as well as all three levels of government, the Bell Lightbox prides itself on showcasing films of all genres and eras in their truest form.

The five-story $140-million building is multilayered, with each floor specializing in something different, but reinforcing the same mandate: Watching and experiencing movies as they were meant to be.

“This is a city that loves movies, and this is a building devoted to the love of film,” says Jesse Wente, the theatre’s head of film programs.

The Main Gallery

With 4,000 sq ft. of space and a lighting setup that’s on par with museum standards, the gallery is fit to showcase any exhibit from around the world.

The Essential Cinema series will be the first to call it home this month, with internationally acclaimed contemporary artworks and iconic objects focusing on the history of cinema.

In the fall, a Tim Burton exhibit—organized by New York’s Museum of Modern Art—occupies this space and features a collection of drawings, sculptures and videos from the revered director.

As a bonus, much of the building is free and publicly accessible, including this gallery.

The Cinemas

This is where the box-in-a-box design is truly utilized. Encased around each cinema are two layers of concrete that sandwich a layer of rubber insulation, making the rooms absolutely soundproof.

“You don’t get vibration in between the cinemas,” says Wente. “You could be running a silent film on this side and Lawrence of Arabia in 70mm on the other, and you wouldn’t hear a sound.”

Educational and Learning Floor

While the first four cinemas are full stages—microphone and camera positions, theatre lighting and space for orchestras—the last two are designed for students, filmmakers and workshops.

The facility will offer free programs to Toronto post-secondary schools with film courses, including access to screenings, workshops and lectures.

But perhaps the sweetest spot is access to Cinema 4, which houses a 16mm film projector, which is equipment that’s no longer manufactured.

“It gives us the capacity to show classic prints, art movies, experimental films and student films that are still produced on 16mm,” says Wente. “We’ll really be one of the only institutions [on the planet] that’ll be able to offer this.”

NBC Universal Education Centre

The last cinema is perhaps the most utilitarian room. Outfitted for only digital film, the room is equipped with a green screen and a clever seating setup that lets all 80 chairs retract into the wall.

Under this design, students can perform and shoot, pull out the seats from the wall and then watch their newly produced film all in the same room.

Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants

There are two restaurants owned and operated by the famous restaurateurs. The ground-level location, O&B Canteen, is a grab-and-go casual market with a patio area that wraps around the corner of King and John streets.

Expect early morning openings and late-night closings, perfect for a snack after an evening show. The second-level restaurant, Luma, is decidedly more upscale, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a focus on artisanal cuisine with global influence.