Preservation Alert

  • September 26, 2005
    Preservation Alert

    Save The Trylon Theater Petition

    QUEENS, NY — Please click on the following link to sign a petition to save the Trylon Theater:

    Save The 1939 Trylon Theater!!!

    The petition:

    To: Robert Tierney (Chair, NY Landmarks Preservation Commission) & Melinda Katz (Councilwoman, District 29)

    The signers of this petition agree that the 1939 Art Deco/Moderne Trylon Theater (98-81 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY) is one of the last standing structures which has a strong cultural, historical, & architectural significance to the 1939 World’s Fair, with its “Trylon & Perisphere” monuments. On behalf of residents and historical societies, it is of utmost importance to halt further demolition, restore what was lost during the conversion, preserve this icon, and officially landmark this truly rare gem of a theater!!!

    1 comment
  • September 23, 2005
    Preservation Alert

    Urgent Note from the Committee To Save The Trylon!

    FOREST HILLS, NY — URGENT note from the Committee To Save The Trylon Theater (98-81 Qns Blvd, Forest Hills, NY):

    To save Trylon from further demolition, please write letters/e-mails to Councilwoman Melinda Katz ASAP. In addition, please spread the word by informing as many people as you can to do so: (I think writing e-mails would be more spontaneous, but of course it’s your preference)

    Councilwoman Melinda Katz
    .ny.us
    104-01 METROPOLITAN AVE
    FOREST HILLS, N.Y. 11375-6735
    (718) 544-8800

    1 comment
  • September 22, 2005
    Preservation Alert

    Hunterdon Theater To Be Razed?

    FLEMINTON, NJ — The former Hunterdon Theater building in Flemington might be razed according to a Hunterdon County Democrat article. On October 5, Walgreen’s will propose a new building on the site before the town’s planning commission. The Hunterdon closed September 16, 1993 and was renovated into Coat World. The building has been vacant for several years. Potentially, the Church Street landmark could be restored to its former use.

    2 comments
  • August 23, 2005
    Preservation Alert

    Beverly Theater Demolition Begins Today

    BEVERLY HILLS, CA — According to the Friends of the Boyd Weekly Update: “Demolition is starting today on the famed Beverly Theater in Beverly Hills. Opened in 1925 with Indo-Chinese design, the movie palace’s conversion to a retail store in the 1970’s retained its ornate landmark exterior & ornate interior. Preservationists objected unsuccessfully to the loss of this Los Angeles landmark.”

    Cinema Treasures users weigh in as well on the theater’s page on this site.

    8 comments
  • August 21, 2005
    Preservation Alert

    Raymond Theatre Hearing Monday Night

    The following email was sent by the Friends of the Raymond Theatre:

    “FRIENDS OF THE RAYMOND THEATRE

    NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING

    Dear Friends of the Raymond Theatre:

    We were just notified that 50% Design Review of the Raymond Theatre project will be conducted this Monday, August 22, 2005. We need speakers and supporters to attend this important hearing.

    If you are going to speak at the hearing or attend, please call or e-mail us immediately to let us know.

    If anyone would like talking points for the hearing, preferably we need to know before
    Monday.

    HEARING DATE:

    DATE: Monday, August 22, 2005
    START TIME: 6:30 pm
    PLACE: Pasadena Conference Center Building
    (next to Pasadena Civic Auditorium)
    300 East Green Street, Room 211, Pasadena

    STAFF REPORT:

    To see the City Staff Report, see Design Review for 8/22/05. Property location 121-129 North Raymond Avenue.

    Please e-mail your comments to the Design Commission at:
    (Include your name and address and request your letter be placed in the legal record for the Raymond Theatre)

    If the public wants the Raymond Theatre to be preserved, it is imperative to have your support at this hearing. We can’t save the Raymond Theatre if the public is not there to show support. A few hours of your time, WILL make a difference. We hope to see you there.

    For more information:
    Friends of the Raymond Theatre
    Office: (818) 541-9522 – Fax: (818) 541-9523
    Website: www.raymondtheatre.com"

    0 comments
  • August 15, 2005
    Preservation Alert

    Citywide Effort To Halt Demolition of The Trylon Theater

    REGO PARK, NY — Since its closure in late 1999, community groups, historic preservationists, and the local media have tried to clarify the fate of the iconic Trylon Theater, located at 98-81 Queens Boulevard.

    Sadly, the property is now undergoing profound alteration for its new use as a social services facility for the Bukharian community. At this writing, the entrance pavilion has been walled off, facade features have been destroyed, and the interior is being gutted. Original painted murals, decorative tilework depicting the Trylon and Perisphere (the 1939 New York World’s Fair symbols), and marquee elements have all been destroyed and no salvage is being conducted.

    Appeals to NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and NYC Councilwoman Melinda Katz to halt the destruction and achieve a preservation-minded adaptive reuse plan for the defunct theater have been unsuccessful thus far. The Art Deco Society of New York (ADSNY) and the Historic Districts Council (HDC) have spearheaded the effort to intervene — even at this late stage — to protect the outstanding and unique Art Deco property.

    The Trylon Theater, designed by Joseph Unger, reflects the cultural impact of the 1939 World’s Fair and its theme of “The World of Tomorrow,” in decorative tiles, murals, and overall aesthetics. The streamlined Art Deco property is a rare surviving neighborhood movie theater due to the loss of hundreds of such buildings in New York and meets criteria to become a designated and protected Historic Landmark.

    **To lend your support: Please contact (Journalist/Preservationist) & send carbon copies to (Art Deco Society of NY) & (Historic Districts Council) & .

    This is A PRESERVATION EMERGENCY!!!

    Call Councilwoman Melinda Katz (718-544-8800) who was the only member who opposed landmark designation & is responsible for this act of destruction. Also e-mail her at .ny.us.

    0 comments
  • July 29, 2005
    Preservation Alert

    Chicago’s GATEWAY to Fall?

    CHICAGO, IL — In yesterday’s NewsFlash by the Theatre Historical Society, former president Joe DuciBella announced that negotiations are well underway to demolish this Rapp & Rapp atmospheric to build more condos in a city with one of the highest percentages of condos in the nation. The famous duo did few atmospherics, and therefore this charming design will be all the greater loss.

    2 comments
  • July 8, 2005
    Preservation Alert

    Important Public Hearing For Pasadena’s Historic Raymond Theatre

    NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING

    HEARING THIS MONDAY, JULY 11, 2005
    WE NEED YOUR ATTENDANCE!

    HEARING DATE:

    DATE: Wednesday, July 11, 2005
    START TIME: 6:30 P.M. sharp!
    PLACE: Pasadena Conference Center Building (next to Pasadena Civic Auditorium) 300 East Green Street, Room 211, Pasadena

    Please attend Monday’s hearing and comment on the following:

    1. Request that interior demolition of the theatre STOP, because no building permits have been issued for demolition and the Raymond Renaissance project has not passed final design review.

    2. Request the Design Review Commission conduct Design Review of the exterior facade of the Raymond Theatre. Work has commenced with no Design Review or public participation.

    3. Give your views about the exterior design of the new building and the fly loft.

    4. Ask that interior review of the Raymond Theatre not be left till final Design Review.

    If you would like to speak and need talking points, please let us know BEFORE this Saturday.

    If you can’t attend, please write the Design Commission a letter:

    • Add your full name, address and phone
    • Ask your letter be submitted to the public record for the Raymond Theatre.
    • Send us a blind copy of your letter.

    0 comments
  • June 27, 2005
    Preservation Alert

    Tampa’s Strand Theater Redevelopment Update

    TAMPA, FL — Tampa’s Strand Theater seems a step closer to demolition although the city’s historic preservation manager is working to save at least the facade, according to an article in the St. Petersburg Times. The block the Strand is on was purchased in January 2005 by a managed health care executive Pradip C. Patel, who plans to put a condo tower with up to 500 units.

    Annie Hart, the city’s historic preservation manager, is hoping that Mr. Patel will incorporate the facade of the Strand, built in 1915, into the design and perhaps preserve part of the theater. The remaining block, part of the massive Maas Brothers department store that closed in 1991 is likely too far gone to be saved. Ms. Hart can be reached at 813.274.7984.

    0 comments
  • June 23, 2005
    Preservation Alert

    Raymond Theatre Update

    PASADENA, CA — The following email was sent by the Friends of the Raymond Theatre:

    “Dear Friends of the Raymond Theatre:

    We kindly ask all our supporters to take a second to read this e-mail. A rumor has been going around that we have lost our battle to save the Raymond Theatre. To make sure our supporters are clear on the issues…

    The Raymond Theatre has NOT been lost.

    0 comments