After purchase by the city, the Union is awaiting demolition: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/union/sections/business-and-finance/articles/union-theater-to-be-demolished-what-s-next?fbclid=IwAR1VqlUspwbCWyviaunn5PGnTmmG_A72Bws5gNAifRNWy7IsamLeCytS31E
Permits have been filed for the building which would replace the Center Cinemas and its vacant neighboring properties: https://newyorkyimby.com/2021/11/permits-filed-for-43-42-43rd-avenue-in-sunnyside-queens.html
According to the below Facebook post, the Boulevard was demolished earlier this year: https://www.facebook.com/100050393744073/posts/417900349899753/?d=n&substory_index=0
Not to go too far off-topic, Al, but I remember the Manhattan Twin’s era of screening primarily genre films and move-overs. Was it considered a less-than-ideal theatre in general?
Closed as of last week. Perhaps it was operating on a 20-year lease. https://patch.com/new-york/upper-east-side-nyc/city-cinemas-theater-closes-suddenly-upper-east-side
The best bet, if there were to be a return to film exhibition within the building’s existent commercial space, would be a build engineered on behalf of an experienced exhibitor, such as the operator of the Kew Gardens, Cobble Hill and Williamsburg Cinemas. Otherwise, retail seems its likely fate.
Gerald Chan, the current owner of the Harvard Square Theatre, is facing pressure from members of the Cambridge City Council to soon declare his plans for the building. (Article here: http://www.cambridgeday.com/2017/02/28/seeing-cinema-empty-nearly-five-years-officials-are-losing-patience-with-owner/.)
I wish the local Parkchester community the absolute best of luck in re-opening the American but, from appearances via the News 12 story, the theatre seems to already be in the process of being gutted.
Walked by this cinema last night and noticed it was closed, as per its blank marquee, Big Cinemas signage painted black and sign posted on one of the main theatre entry doors. Too soon to tell if another operator might take over or if a retail conversion is next.
On another note, Midtown East now has more physically vacant screens – this one, the three at 64th & 2nd, and the six at 1st & 62nd – than it does operating ones (the three at the Cinema 1, 2 & 3 and the two at the Beekman).
I noticed when I visited this theatre (which I quickly fell in love with, for its charms and its programming) for the first time, a few weeks ago, that it’s still all 35MM. Hopefully the lack of digital projection, at least for now, isn’t an indication of its impending closing.
There are two users I can think of who violate the healthy conversational spirit of this site – the one Ed referred to above and another – U.S., west coast-based – who has, on multiple occasions, sniped at and insulted fellow commenters whose helpful posts may sometimes be slightly off in detail. Thank you, Ross, for reaffirming what Cinema Treasures represents: a healthy dialogue and a thoughtfully-composed database for theatre lovers worldwide.
After purchase by the city, the Union is awaiting demolition: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/union/sections/business-and-finance/articles/union-theater-to-be-demolished-what-s-next?fbclid=IwAR1VqlUspwbCWyviaunn5PGnTmmG_A72Bws5gNAifRNWy7IsamLeCytS31E
Permits have been filed for the building which would replace the Center Cinemas and its vacant neighboring properties: https://newyorkyimby.com/2021/11/permits-filed-for-43-42-43rd-avenue-in-sunnyside-queens.html
According to the below Facebook post, the Boulevard was demolished earlier this year: https://www.facebook.com/100050393744073/posts/417900349899753/?d=n&substory_index=0
Currently serving as home to Mariners Church.
A plastic surgery clinic is now located in the former Columbia/Gemini/64th & 2nd space.
It closed in March of 1996.
It’s still vacant, bigjoe59.
Not to go too far off-topic, Al, but I remember the Manhattan Twin’s era of screening primarily genre films and move-overs. Was it considered a less-than-ideal theatre in general?
The time to eulogize the Paris might NOT be near: http://vanishingnewyork.blogspot.com/2019/07/well-always-haveparis.html
Closed as of last week. Perhaps it was operating on a 20-year lease. https://patch.com/new-york/upper-east-side-nyc/city-cinemas-theater-closes-suddenly-upper-east-side
A Fred Segal store is opening soon in the Malibu Cinemas' former space.
A Costco presently stands where the Beltsville Drive-In formerly existed.
Thank you for your report, EsseXploreR. Has the theatre been gutted to the bare brick walls?
@vindanpar: ‘Comfortably Cool’ is a vital contributor to this site, yet he’s been a curmudgeon since the time when he was posting as Warren G. Harris.
The best bet, if there were to be a return to film exhibition within the building’s existent commercial space, would be a build engineered on behalf of an experienced exhibitor, such as the operator of the Kew Gardens, Cobble Hill and Williamsburg Cinemas. Otherwise, retail seems its likely fate.
A Victoria’s Secret location currently occupies the former AMC Criterion 6 space.
The former Back Lot space is currently used for storage.
Gerald Chan, the current owner of the Harvard Square Theatre, is facing pressure from members of the Cambridge City Council to soon declare his plans for the building. (Article here: http://www.cambridgeday.com/2017/02/28/seeing-cinema-empty-nearly-five-years-officials-are-losing-patience-with-owner/.)
Thank you for the clarification, Al.
Where was the seventh screen located and what became of it?
I wish the local Parkchester community the absolute best of luck in re-opening the American but, from appearances via the News 12 story, the theatre seems to already be in the process of being gutted.
Walked by this cinema last night and noticed it was closed, as per its blank marquee, Big Cinemas signage painted black and sign posted on one of the main theatre entry doors. Too soon to tell if another operator might take over or if a retail conversion is next.
On another note, Midtown East now has more physically vacant screens – this one, the three at 64th & 2nd, and the six at 1st & 62nd – than it does operating ones (the three at the Cinema 1, 2 & 3 and the two at the Beekman).
I noticed when I visited this theatre (which I quickly fell in love with, for its charms and its programming) for the first time, a few weeks ago, that it’s still all 35MM. Hopefully the lack of digital projection, at least for now, isn’t an indication of its impending closing.
There are two users I can think of who violate the healthy conversational spirit of this site – the one Ed referred to above and another – U.S., west coast-based – who has, on multiple occasions, sniped at and insulted fellow commenters whose helpful posts may sometimes be slightly off in detail. Thank you, Ross, for reaffirming what Cinema Treasures represents: a healthy dialogue and a thoughtfully-composed database for theatre lovers worldwide.
Construction work has begun within the former 64th & Second space. No word as of yet on who the next tenant will be.