Elmwood Theatre
57-02 Hoffman Drive,
Elmhurst,
NY
11373
57-02 Hoffman Drive,
Elmhurst,
NY
11373
22 people
favorited this theater
Showing 76 - 100 of 248 comments found
And a rare view at the marquee and rooftop signage (obscured though the latter may be) featuring the Queensboro name.
The theatre was closed at the time of the Municipal Archives photo. I think it closed in 1939 (or 1940 at the latest), but there had been frequent and extended periods of closure from the time the Queensboro opened in 1928. It was pretty much closed from 1939-40 until it re-opened in 1946 as the Elmwood. The only exceptions were in 1944 and 1945, when the Queensboro had short seasons of stage plays as part of the “Subway Circuit.” Very little of Queens Boulevard can be seen in the photo. The street in front of the theatre is Hoffman Drive, which begins at the junction of QB and 57th Avenue and continues at least as far as Woodhaven Boulevard.
Wow. Just look at Queens Blvd in the distance!
What the heck is this? A post that’s NOT about the RKO Keith’s Flushing?
Here is a photo of the theater taken sometime between 1939 and 1941, though the photo was most likely taken in 1941. The theater at that time was known as the “Queensboro.” The marquee and lobby displays are empty, so apparently the theater was closed at the time. Perhaps around now the theater was renamed the “Elmwood.”
This photo is from the NYC Municipal Archives collection. Between 1939 and 1941 from 700,000 photos were taken by the City of New York for tax purposes.
Please check my comments to see more photos from this collection.
View link
This is just wrong. I too am surprised that they didn’t take advantage of the tax credits. The Rock Church is pretty much erasing history. I really hope they keep the Elmwood sign and even light it up (if that doesn’t happen then I just lose all hope and there should be a community dispute if that were to happen). I would have expected a different outcome coming from a religious institution.
I passed by on Friday and saw the intact detail on the very top being stuccoed over. More exterior elements are being concealed, and it’s just getting worse. Sorry to share this bad news. has anyone tried contacting the Rock Church? Please let me know.
Warren… take a look at some of the photos of the Elmwood from my photo album here. I took these in October and included some close-up shots. I tried to look at them optimistically, just as you do now… but the evidence doesn’t look good. I think they’re going for a cheap makeover of the exterior facade and looking to avoid the possibility of landmark designation – which many property owners see as a burden.
Are you kidding? The building has been stuccoed over. The terra-cotta that was not removed is now ruined under a layer of concrete. The only original ornamentation is at the top, which yes, does look to be cleaned, but the rest of the building is destroyed.
I’m not too sure of the technical aspects entirely, but I know that religious institutions have taken advantage of programs put out by the NY State Historic Preservation Office (State/Nat'l Register). Grants from the Sacred Funds Program have been provided to various religious institutions who wish to restore their buildings.
How can the Rock Church take advantage of tax credits? They’re a church — they don’t pay any taxes.
When I called up the construction company (that walked off the job), they said the Rock Church wanted a more modern design for the facade & then agreed that it looked better before. The top portion might stay, but the terra cotta work, lintels, and tiles are being modernized with stucco. I assume it’s less costly rather than repairing what was there. However, I am baffled as to why they wouldn’t take advantage of tax credits & state matching grants for rehabilitating the facade properly.
Warren, your assessment is optimistic. Did you call up the Rock Church & find out? They might reveal more info to you, since they know you better. I recall that you visited a couple of times a few months back. Please let us know what happens. Thanks!
I did some brightening of one of the images displayed at Forgotten New York, and I’m not wholly convinced that the front facade of the Elmwood is being desecrated. This is obviously a project that is still a long way from completion, and I see a considerable improvement to some portions of the facade. Along the top, for example, steam cleaning or sandblasting has uncovered beauty that was covered by grime for decades. I presume that this will eventually be done to the entire facade now obscured by scaffolding. The controversial white strips around some of the windows might only be temporary protective covers. In some places, they might be covering empty spaces left by damaged stonework that had to be removed for repair or duplication.
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/elmwood1.jpg
Here are some photos from the recent Forgotten NY tour of Elmhurst:
http://www.forgotten-ny.com/tour27/27.html
Scroll down ¼ & see current photos & a description documenting the desecration of the Elmwood Theatre’s facade. They promised to restore the facade in 2003. This development is an appalling, particularly coming from a religious institution. They might call themsleves Rock Church of “Faith Ministries,” but I have no faith in them! They turned their back on the community & now they deserve the same!!!! The previous contractor walked off the job since they never paid him for his work. He agrees that it looked better before, and felt bad they made him do it. The Rock Church is a pack of lies & filled with controversy! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!
This was apparently not the first theatre in Queens to be called the Queensboro. During the World War I era, there was a cinema named the Queensboro on Hunter Avenue in Long Island City, but I have yet to find a more specific address than that.
Holy crap!!!!! it’s a complete sin what they are doing! they completely destroyed the front of the building!
They have completely DESTROYED the terracotta for some cheap looking “brickface” covering! How in the world can they have done such a thing!! They have cemented into the terracotta where it hasn’t been removed! It’s a travesty!! Shame on them!! The photos are horrifying!
It’s an abomination!!
View link
Thanks for posting those links, Michael. I meant to do so myself, but I’ve been so busy (in fact, I thought I already had posted them)! I took those shots a couple of weeks ago as workers were slopping on the stucco material around the old stage housing area. I approached a group of them to inquire as to the nature of the exterior restoration – particularly with respect to the decorative lintels that had been removed. I was told to speak with someone inside the church.
I entered via the current temporary entrance (the former rear orchestra fire exit on 57th Drive) and found a young gentleman seated at a folding table against the side wall just inside the inner door. There was some sort of classroom activity going on just behind the gentleman at the rear of the orchestra where similar folding tables were set up. Since there were children in attendance, I was understandably asked by the gentleman to hold our conversation in the small exit vestibule through which I had just entered. I was only able to take a brief glimpse at the work being done to the auditorium. The room is brightly lit and painted in white. My view was limited to the rear orchestra, with the balcony overhang obscuring the cieling and proscenium work. The most notable feature that caught my eye would be the wrought iron balustrades at the rear of the mezzanine level, overlooking the rear orchestra.
Once in the vestibule, I explained that I was a resident of Elmhurst in my youth and had attended many a movie at the old theater and would be interested in taking a quick tour of the theater and discussing restoration plans with someone in authority, whenever it was convenient for the church. He suggested I call the number posted on the marquee and try to make for arrangements. He didn’t give me any particular names to ask for, but suggested I call around 6pm or so. My schedule has not allowed me to follow through on that suggestion yet, but when I do, I’ll be sure to post about it right here.
From the looks of things, I’m not encouraged about the prospects of a true exterior restoration. The stuff they are applying to the exterior reminds me of the old “Garden State Brick Face” material that used to be advertised all over local TV for quick and cheap exterior home remodeling back in the ‘70’s and '80’s. It’s a substance that is applied to any facade in a thick layer and then sculpted and painted to give the appearance of whatever style the customer wants. In the case of the Elmwood/Rock Church, seems to me like it is being carved into the look of faux limestone. And then with those new colonial looking window frames… Sigh. A real disappointment.
Welcome to Cinema Treasures, “Amazing Grace.” The Elmwood Theatre’s exterior is no way near to being restored. It’s being completely concealed with lackluster stucco. 2002, 2003, & early 2006 news stories gave residents & enthusiasts a FALSE SENSE OF HOPE. Why conceal beautiful terra cotta, lintels, & tilework that had superb craftsmanship? The proof is as follows:
View link
The following 2 photos illustrate my observations to a tee:
View link
View link
This is not a restoration but a devastation. Why should the Rock Church lie to the community? :( Please verify this. The community wants answers.
Oy.
Hi, I just registered…almost accidently but really out of curiousity. I have been with The Rock since the “basement” days 1998 to be exact. I would love to know who CP is???
Not only have we moved into these two outstanding facilities but we’ve extended ourselves into the heart of Miami, Florida. Following the vision originally given to us…a church in every city, in every state, across the world. The leadership is quite cautious in only seeking and taking direction from above. For those waiting to see, no worries! You will soon behold the GLORY of His strong hand. At this safe haven for our communities, they truly not only restore buildings (as mentioned in a earlier passage) they restore lives…one by one. Warren, your reviews are great!
Thank you very much, Ed!!! I will try contacting the center again, while referencing the lofty 2002/2003 facade ambitions in both papers. If you haven’t already done so, please don’t forget to contact the center to inquire, so I won’t be the only one. Thanks! I am debating over whether to send out a press release. I want to have substantial and accurate information first.
It will match the tacky mall across the street perfectly
Here are a pair of photos taken by Mike Perlman (our own NativeForestHiller) as he was passing by on a bus the other day:
Shot 1
Shot 2
I’ll leave it to him to comment further on these, but I think he’s unsure as to whether the missing lintels are intended to be replaced or if they are gone forever. Workers might be preparing the facade for the presumably cleaned and restored lintels to be re-installed. What is so frustrating is the lack of comment by the Church on exactly what the plans entail for exterior renovation.
Such lofty and noble ambitions back in 2002/2003. It’s not encouraging that Community Board memeber Nick Pennachio didn’t think the building “wasn’t that beautiful.” I’d love to have Nicholas Hirshon conduct an interview with the Pastor and ask her exactly what plans are for the building’s exterior and how they reconcile with initial designs to keep it largely intact.
A July 17, 2003 article in the Queens Chronicle:
View link
It says the RC is excited about moving into the historical building. The classic Elmwood sign will stay, & a “surprise” will be added to the front. Hmm…
According to a March 28, 2002 Queens Chronicle article, Pastor Lydia Winthrow said “most of the two-story building’s external structure will remain intact.” This also makes me wonder. Please access the following:
View link