Courtesy of Forest City Washington.

It’s official: Southeast is getting a movie theater.

Discussions have been underway for a while, but the developer of The Yards announced today that they have finalized a deal to acquire the necessary land and signed a lease. A 16-screen Showplace Icon Theater will occupy a new building set to be built one block east of Nationals Park. The site is currently in use by DC Water.

According to the release, the Showplace Icon will have 1,500 leather recliner seats, wall-to-wall screens, and reserved seating. There will also be “adults-only” levels with tables where patrons can imbibe inside the theater. And a lobby lounge will feature a full bar and small plates (because there is apparently a hidden clause in every new contract mandating them?)

Construction is slated to begin early next year for an opening in early 2018, though that timetable might be affected by DC Water’s relocation schedule.

“From Yards Park to great restaurants and retail, the Capitol Riverfront has been re-energized,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “The addition of the Showplace ICON Movie Theater will add even more vibrancy to this thriving neighborhood.”

Alluding to complexity of the deal—Forest City Development had to acquire additional parcels of land from the city that are adjacent to The Yards along First Street SE —Forest City president Deborah Ratner Salzberg said: “Showplace Icon will add an exciting new facet of high-end, cinematic entertainment to The Yards. It has been a complicated process to get this project to this point and we thank Kerasotes Showplace Theatres, the DC Government and DC Water for the wonderful cooperation and patience they have shown throughout this process.”

In the release, Forest City also noted that they are nearing completion of the third residential building for The Yards. And when Due South and Nicoletta Pizzeria open, there will be 15 restaurants in the complex.