Bernard Myerson, president of Loews Theatres, and Eugene Heller, president of Hartz Mountain Industries, Inc. announced that they have entered into an agreement to build a new state-of-the-art, ten-theatre complex in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey at the intersection of Routes 95 and 46.
The theatre will be part of a Hartz Mountain Industries complex which will include a hotel, office buildings and retail stores. Loews presently operates theatres with Hartz in several other areas of New Jersey, Loews Harmon Cove Quad and Loews Meadows six in Secaucus, Loews six in Wayne and a quad, Loews Showboat, in Edgewater.
The new Loews tenplex in Ridgefield Park will have approximately 5,000 seats and is scheduled for a June 1985 opening.
As Orlando had already kindly pointed out this ticket stub is from Century’s Mayfair Theatre in Brooklyn, not this theatre. Please move this photo over there, thanks.
I hate fixed width & height screens, with no adjustable masking. Regal tends to do this a lot now. They will have a scope film playing on a flat screen with bars on the top and bottom, it looks terrible, so those the pillar-boxing you described. How much lazier can these huge chains become?
This was originally intended to be built & operated by Loews Theatres not United Artists, anybody know what happened? –
Boxoffice Magazine January 1985 Theatre Construction Roundup
Bernard Myerson. president of Loews Theatres, and the Nakash brothers, owners of Jordache Enterprises, Inc., world famous jeans and apparel manufacturers, recently announced an agreement to build and operate a multi-million-dollar eight-auditorium theatre complex in the Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn, New York.
The project will be located off the Belt Parkway at Knapp Street on land already purchased for this purpose.
The site now includes a beach club which will be demolished. The luxury theatre will provide parking for approximately 1,000 cars with a multi-level parking structure, and is expected to open in December, 1985.
The theatre will be equipped with push-back seats and the most technically advanced projection and sound including 70mm and Dolby stereo.
Each auditorium will be fully draped and have a different color theme. The lobby will have as its focal point a giant hand-painted movie mural to be executed by famed Tampa muralist, Patrick Casey, and will depict stars whose fame has stood the test of time.
The theatre will also be designed to accommodate the handicapped. The architectural firm of Held and Rubin of East Meadow, Long Island, a firm that has designed a number of Loews' new theatre complexes, will prepare the plans with construction expected to begin in February.
This venture is consistant with Jordache’s policy decision to diversify its operations
Original announcement from Boxoffice Magazine January 1981-
Bernard Myerson, president of Loews Theatres, announced today that Loews plans to construct a six-theatre complex in Wayne opposite the Willowbrook Mall.
The complex will be on an eleven acre plot on Route 23 at Willowbrook Boulevard.
The theatre building will occupy approximately 50,000 square feet with two auditoriums of 800 seats each, two with 650 seats each and two with 500 seats each for a total seating capacity of 3,900.
Acres of parking will be provided and the theatre will feature 70mm and Dolby Stereo.
Plans call for a huge lobby with a giant circular refreshment center designed to eliminate lines at the popcorn stand.
Original accouncemnt from Boxoffice Magazine July 1982:
Boston -Sack Theatres have firmed plans for a nine-screen plex in Boston to show foreign product.
A September, 1983, opening is planned for the plex, to be built in the Copley Place commercial development by Urban Investments and Development with Sack’s 15-year lease carrying an option for a 10-year renewal.
The nine theatres will seat from 50 to 200. In addition, the plex will contain an espresso bar.
How the Sack plan will affect the Orson Wells plex, Cambridge, Mass., plan to build a foreign film outlet in downtown Boston is yet to be determined.
This theatre was extensively renovated by RKO Century Warner in 1984-
Boxoffice Magazine Theatre Construction Roundup October 1984
The RKO Fordham, the flagship of RKO Century Warner Theatres in the Bronx, has completed a $250,000 facelift to give it a bright and modern look.
In addition, the movie house has been fitted with the latest, state-of-the art projection equipment that brings it to the top level of the finest in New York City.
From a new marquee to the completely redesigned lobby, designer Lou Venza has aimed at giving the Fordham the kind of “today” look that complements the first-rate movie fare being offered by the theatre and the level of modernization and comfort which the circuit now demands of its theatres.
The Fordham marquee has been fitted with a new logo, new attraction panels and improved lighting to improve its visibility.
A new, illuminated light panel with neon lights makes it stand out along Fordham Road. New front doors have been installed and now lead into a lobby painted with vivid earth colors.
Modern tiles have been installed along the floor and parts of the wall where they have been integrated into an impressive new mural.
New refreshment stands have been constructed in the lobby and on the second level with a view to improving customer convenience, with the accent again on pleasing patrons and the utmost in product cleanliness, in the booth, Dolby stereo sound has been made part of the modernized projection system.
A new air-conditioning system has been installed to increase customer comfort.
The 23rd Street West Triplex, the new Walter Reade Theatre complex presently under construction at 23rd Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues in Manhattan, was opened to the public on Friday, December 14, 1984, it was announced by Sheldon Gunsberg, president of The Walter Reade Organization, Inc.
The other two theatres of the complex were scheduled to open on December 21, 1984. The 23rd Street West Triplex will be New York’s newest motion picture complex and will have a policy of presenting first-run entertainment from all over the world.
The three theatres will feature luxuriously veloured push-back chairs and will be entirely climate controlled, with a unique ionized-air purification system for patron comfort.
There was also a Loews Theatre planned for this area that was never built-
Boxoffice Magazine December 1982 New York
Loews Theatres confirmed that it has reached an agreement in principle with the Arlona Company, operators of the Mayfair Shopping Center located on Jericho Turnpike approximately one half mile east of Sunken Meadow Parkway in Commack, Long Island, for the construction of a six-auditorium theatre within the center.
The new theatre will be adjacent to the Gimbels department store and will have a combined seating capacity of approximately 3,000. Extensive additional parking is being added to the already huge parking area.
Opening Announcement-Boxoffice Magazine Theatre Construction Roundup July 1985
Loew’s Circuit recently opened their Loews 84th Street Six in New York.
The state-of-the-art theatre has a computer controlled air-conditioning system and a message center which hangs under the marquee.
Two electronic mini marquees in the lobby direct patrons to the proper auditioriums.
The theatre is equipped with 70mm and all of the auditoriums have Dolby stereo and JBL speaker systems. A huge 25 X 80 mural is the focal point of the lobby, along with a giant circular refreshment center with eight serving stations.
As in all the Loews theatres, each auditorium has a different color theme.
I like the LED showtime boards better, they are a lot brighter and much easier to read, so far Regal has not been phasing them out like AMC has. Concession stand menu board signage is a totally other story though.
That picture of the Granada Theatre is not on this website, it’s actually in the archives of the Theatre Historical Society of America as part of the Edward T. Gibbs Collection.
Was passing by a few weeks ago at night & the marquee was totally dark, do they ever turn on the Marquee at night anymore? If you were looking for this place after dark and were not sure were it was it might be rather difficult to find it.
This theatre really had some great historical details left inside before it was completely gutted inside, it’s a shame that we live in such a disposable society that there is no value in preserving such an architectural treasures such as this and it just winds up inside a dumpster to be carted away. John Eberson would be turning in his grave for sure.
Any idea what happened rivest266? I thought the building was renovated extensively from 97-99 when they were converting the former Simpson’s Store into the Paramount Multiplex.
United Artists Court Street also opened as a Regal, became a UA like Batter Park but never went back to being a Regal even though you can tell it was a Regal by the neon signage in the concession area on the main level. I guess they wanted no more UA’s left in Manhattan because Regal seems to be the primary brand they seem to want to concentrate one.
Glad to hear that Cineplex is coming to the rescue, I hope they won’t mess with or change any of the Famous Players design features that still exist in this location. There aren’t that many like this one left in Canada.
From Boxoffice Magazine April 1985
United Artists Communications opened the renovated and newly subdivided Babylon Triplex Theatre in New York recently.
Originally the Babylon Theatre, a 25-year-old landmark on Main Street, the new house opened with “Dune” and “Starman.”
UA reopened their Rivoli theatre in Manhattan just two months earlier.
From Boxoffice Magazine April 1985
Bernard Myerson, president of Loews Theatres, and Eugene Heller, president of Hartz Mountain Industries, Inc. announced that they have entered into an agreement to build a new state-of-the-art, ten-theatre complex in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey at the intersection of Routes 95 and 46.
The theatre will be part of a Hartz Mountain Industries complex which will include a hotel, office buildings and retail stores. Loews presently operates theatres with Hartz in several other areas of New Jersey, Loews Harmon Cove Quad and Loews Meadows six in Secaucus, Loews six in Wayne and a quad, Loews Showboat, in Edgewater.
The new Loews tenplex in Ridgefield Park will have approximately 5,000 seats and is scheduled for a June 1985 opening.
Opening Info From Boxoffice Magazine Januay 1984
Whitestone, N.Y.
The Whitestone Multiplex Cinemas, a new ten-screen complex, opened recently.
The Whitestone located on the site of the former Whitestone Drive-In offers a choice of ten first-run movies under one roof.
The former Whitestone Drive-In was opened in 1949 as a single screen and was twinned in 1978.
It remained an active theatre operation until last year when construction began on the new indoor complex.
The new cinema is located on Bruckner Boulevard and Hutchinson River Parkway and is easy to reach from
all of the metro area.
The Whitestone complex will seat over 4300 people. The cinema site provides acres of free, parking for over 1500 cars.
The Whitestone Multiplex Cinemas are operated by Redstone Management of Boston.
As Orlando had already kindly pointed out this ticket stub is from Century’s Mayfair Theatre in Brooklyn, not this theatre. Please move this photo over there, thanks.
It probably would have been re-purposed for retail like the original Loews Bay Terrace in Queens.
I hate fixed width & height screens, with no adjustable masking. Regal tends to do this a lot now. They will have a scope film playing on a flat screen with bars on the top and bottom, it looks terrible, so those the pillar-boxing you described. How much lazier can these huge chains become?
This was originally intended to be built & operated by Loews Theatres not United Artists, anybody know what happened? –
Boxoffice Magazine January 1985 Theatre Construction Roundup
Bernard Myerson. president of Loews Theatres, and the Nakash brothers, owners of Jordache Enterprises, Inc., world famous jeans and apparel manufacturers, recently announced an agreement to build and operate a multi-million-dollar eight-auditorium theatre complex in the Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn, New York.
The project will be located off the Belt Parkway at Knapp Street on land already purchased for this purpose.
The site now includes a beach club which will be demolished. The luxury theatre will provide parking for approximately 1,000 cars with a multi-level parking structure, and is expected to open in December, 1985.
The theatre will be equipped with push-back seats and the most technically advanced projection and sound including 70mm and Dolby stereo.
Each auditorium will be fully draped and have a different color theme. The lobby will have as its focal point a giant hand-painted movie mural to be executed by famed Tampa muralist, Patrick Casey, and will depict stars whose fame has stood the test of time.
The theatre will also be designed to accommodate the handicapped. The architectural firm of Held and Rubin of East Meadow, Long Island, a firm that has designed a number of Loews' new theatre complexes, will prepare the plans with construction expected to begin in February.
This venture is consistant with Jordache’s policy decision to diversify its operations
Original announcement from Boxoffice Magazine January 1981-
Bernard Myerson, president of Loews Theatres, announced today that Loews plans to construct a six-theatre complex in Wayne opposite the Willowbrook Mall.
The complex will be on an eleven acre plot on Route 23 at Willowbrook Boulevard.
The theatre building will occupy approximately 50,000 square feet with two auditoriums of 800 seats each, two with 650 seats each and two with 500 seats each for a total seating capacity of 3,900.
Acres of parking will be provided and the theatre will feature 70mm and Dolby Stereo.
Plans call for a huge lobby with a giant circular refreshment center designed to eliminate lines at the popcorn stand.
Original accouncemnt from Boxoffice Magazine July 1982:
Boston -Sack Theatres have firmed plans for a nine-screen plex in Boston to show foreign product.
A September, 1983, opening is planned for the plex, to be built in the Copley Place commercial development by Urban Investments and Development with Sack’s 15-year lease carrying an option for a 10-year renewal.
The nine theatres will seat from 50 to 200. In addition, the plex will contain an espresso bar.
How the Sack plan will affect the Orson Wells plex, Cambridge, Mass., plan to build a foreign film outlet in downtown Boston is yet to be determined.
This theatre was extensively renovated by RKO Century Warner in 1984-
Boxoffice Magazine Theatre Construction Roundup October 1984
The RKO Fordham, the flagship of RKO Century Warner Theatres in the Bronx, has completed a $250,000 facelift to give it a bright and modern look.
In addition, the movie house has been fitted with the latest, state-of-the art projection equipment that brings it to the top level of the finest in New York City.
From a new marquee to the completely redesigned lobby, designer Lou Venza has aimed at giving the Fordham the kind of “today” look that complements the first-rate movie fare being offered by the theatre and the level of modernization and comfort which the circuit now demands of its theatres.
The Fordham marquee has been fitted with a new logo, new attraction panels and improved lighting to improve its visibility.
A new, illuminated light panel with neon lights makes it stand out along Fordham Road. New front doors have been installed and now lead into a lobby painted with vivid earth colors.
Modern tiles have been installed along the floor and parts of the wall where they have been integrated into an impressive new mural.
New refreshment stands have been constructed in the lobby and on the second level with a view to improving customer convenience, with the accent again on pleasing patrons and the utmost in product cleanliness, in the booth, Dolby stereo sound has been made part of the modernized projection system.
A new air-conditioning system has been installed to increase customer comfort.
Grand Reopening Announcement-
Boxoffice Magazine February 1985
The 23rd Street West Triplex, the new Walter Reade Theatre complex presently under construction at 23rd Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues in Manhattan, was opened to the public on Friday, December 14, 1984, it was announced by Sheldon Gunsberg, president of The Walter Reade Organization, Inc.
The other two theatres of the complex were scheduled to open on December 21, 1984. The 23rd Street West Triplex will be New York’s newest motion picture complex and will have a policy of presenting first-run entertainment from all over the world.
The three theatres will feature luxuriously veloured push-back chairs and will be entirely climate controlled, with a unique ionized-air purification system for patron comfort.
There was also a Loews Theatre planned for this area that was never built-
Boxoffice Magazine December 1982 New York
Loews Theatres confirmed that it has reached an agreement in principle with the Arlona Company, operators of the Mayfair Shopping Center located on Jericho Turnpike approximately one half mile east of Sunken Meadow Parkway in Commack, Long Island, for the construction of a six-auditorium theatre within the center.
The new theatre will be adjacent to the Gimbels department store and will have a combined seating capacity of approximately 3,000. Extensive additional parking is being added to the already huge parking area.
Opening Announcement-Boxoffice Magazine Theatre Construction Roundup July 1985
Loew’s Circuit recently opened their Loews 84th Street Six in New York.
The state-of-the-art theatre has a computer controlled air-conditioning system and a message center which hangs under the marquee.
Two electronic mini marquees in the lobby direct patrons to the proper auditioriums.
The theatre is equipped with 70mm and all of the auditoriums have Dolby stereo and JBL speaker systems. A huge 25 X 80 mural is the focal point of the lobby, along with a giant circular refreshment center with eight serving stations.
As in all the Loews theatres, each auditorium has a different color theme.
I like the LED showtime boards better, they are a lot brighter and much easier to read, so far Regal has not been phasing them out like AMC has. Concession stand menu board signage is a totally other story though.
Thanks moviebuff82!!!
There were 3 levels with 2 auditoriums on each level, starting with theatre #1 & 2 in the basement.
Slated to become a Cinemex Luxury Multiplex http://nypost.com/2016/11/15/luxury-cineplex-will-dress-up-drab-62nd-street-corner/
That picture of the Granada Theatre is not on this website, it’s actually in the archives of the Theatre Historical Society of America as part of the Edward T. Gibbs Collection.
Was passing by a few weeks ago at night & the marquee was totally dark, do they ever turn on the Marquee at night anymore? If you were looking for this place after dark and were not sure were it was it might be rather difficult to find it.
This theatre really had some great historical details left inside before it was completely gutted inside, it’s a shame that we live in such a disposable society that there is no value in preserving such an architectural treasures such as this and it just winds up inside a dumpster to be carted away. John Eberson would be turning in his grave for sure.
Wasn’t this the first theatre in Canada to exhibit a motion picture with sound in Canada? I seem to recall reading that at one time.
Any idea what happened rivest266? I thought the building was renovated extensively from 97-99 when they were converting the former Simpson’s Store into the Paramount Multiplex.
United Artists Court Street also opened as a Regal, became a UA like Batter Park but never went back to being a Regal even though you can tell it was a Regal by the neon signage in the concession area on the main level. I guess they wanted no more UA’s left in Manhattan because Regal seems to be the primary brand they seem to want to concentrate one.
Glad to hear that Cineplex is coming to the rescue, I hope they won’t mess with or change any of the Famous Players design features that still exist in this location. There aren’t that many like this one left in Canada.
Who was the chain that actually made this a quad, was it Loews or Cineplex Odeon?