Washington Theatre
1805 Amsterdam Avenue,
New York,
NY
1805 Amsterdam Avenue,
New York,
NY
1 person
favorited this theater
Many experts believe that the Washington is the oldest surviving theatre anywhere that was designed by Thomas W. Lamb. It was built by William Fox Amusement Company and first opened in August, 1910. Little known beyond its Manhattanville neighborhood, the Washington closed in the 1950s and now serves as the New Covenant Temple, with its interior substantially intact.
Contributed by
Warren G. Harris
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
During the 30’s, the Washington Theatre was operated by Harris Theatrical Enterprices, NY. They also operated these other theatres in New York City: Bunny, Claremont, Columbia, Gotham, Sunset and the Washington.
A Beman organ was installed in the Washington Theater in 1915. That was replaced with an Estey organ in 1923.
An early image of the auditorium decor. I wonder if the ceiling mural still exists? The project was one of the first by architect Thomas W. Lamb for William Fox:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/washington.jpg
More early images:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/washover4.jpg
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/washover.jpg
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/washover2.jpg
Here are new links to images described above:
View link
View link
View link
View link
The NYCLPC’s Landmark Designation Report for the Paramount Hotel mentions the Washington Theatre among Thomas Lamb’s works, but says that the project was designed in association with theater architect Victor Hugo Koehler.
According to Harlem Bespoke, this theater has been empty for at least a year and has been for sale for that least 6 months. The price has just been reduced from $11.5MM to $8.75MM. It adds that the interior is supposedly substantially intact! Yet another hidden palace in New York and supposedly the oldest of the surviving Thomas Lamb designs. http://harlembespoke.blogspot.com/2009/11/remember-washington-theatre.html
According to Harlem Bespoke, this theater has been empty for at least a year and has been for sale for that least 6 months. The price has just been reduced from $11.5MM to $8.75MM. It adds that the interior is supposedly substantially intact! Yet another hidden palace in New York and supposedly the oldest of the surviving Thomas Lamb designs. http://harlembespoke.blogspot.com/2009/11/remember-washington-theatre.html
Sounds like reasonable cause for the LPC to be solicited for a review of the interior as a candidate for landmark protection (he types while laughing knowingly to himself).
At the very least one would hope that someone gets in there and takes a myriad of pictures assuming the worst.