Eagle Theater

Notice in the street view of the theater, the words in the cement/tiles on the sidewalk under where the marquee used to be still say “Eagle” right up until the point when the building was partially demolished. The side walls of the theater still remain to this day…someone should do a walk by and see if you can still see “Eagle” on the ground in front of the barricade they put around the building when they tore the front part of the building down….

The recently released Brooklyn Theatre Index confirms the fact that Thomas Lamb was the architect. This project, which was little more than a rather plain “nabe” theater, must have been one of Lamb’s very early creations. Also, given the similarity in design that, as noted in previous comments, the Eagle shares with other local theaters, one would wonder if Lamb was, in some way, involved with them as well. (I believe Lamb did live in the general area.) Anyhow, a little food for thought.

The Index does, however, part company from Peter’s introduction by providing a 1940 closing date for the place, while Peter places it in the early 1950’s. In addition, the only testimony of actual attendance noted in the comments provides a 1938 date. Thus, the actual closing date needs to be clarified.

Finally, the theater’s initial name – the Central Theatre – should be added as a previous name at the top of the page.

Had a free day, took a pass by and found the shell of the old Eagle much as it was before. Even the old and even more expired building permits were still in place. The metal beams have, however, become the nesting ground for a number of pigeons.

Went by this site today, and it is just as Bway described it. Also, none of the Buildings Dept. permite are current; they all elapsed last November. Thus, the chances of this theater to rise from ite ashes are pretty slim.

Ooops, here is the proper link, the one above is one from a year ago. This was taken today:

Click here for photo

Did a pass-by today. Still no change. The problem is, the remainig shell will start to deteriorate – and has already begun to – if work does not commence soon.

I made a quick pass by earlier today. Nothing has changed, and the shell of the old theater remains as is. I guess we will have to wait for the warmer weather to see if anything develops here.

Personally, I feel if they were taking the whole building down, they would have been so careful about keeping the two extreme sides up without damaging them. Those parts with the windows on either side would have been ripped more jagged I would assume if they were taking the whole thing down.
That being said, I haven’t a clue what they could be doing with the building.

I was able to visit this site after voting on Election Day and – guess what – no change.

I also reviewed the Building Dept. records for this address. While the they are not at all clear, several action submissions made in 2007 point to an alteration rather than a demolition. Since the architect’s telephone number was included on the form, I called it and left a few messages. While I don’t expect to hear from them, I will report any response that may occur.

I hope anyone with a keen eye for these things – or at least a keener eye than mine – will visit the Building Dept’s. web site and look up this address. I may very well be missing something here.

I don’t know what they are doing to this building. While the middle has been removed, the whole building gutted, and the roof removed, why would they keep the side walls? Perhaps that is all they are taking down at this time?

Here’s a photo I took yesterday of the at least partial demolition of the theater. Compare to a 2004 photo I took:

Eagle Theater 2004

Here are the photos from Yesterday:

Eagle Theater 2008

Eagle Theater 2008

John, thanks so much for the heads up! Ironically, when I went back I TOO didn’t have my camera. It hasn’t changed then since my Aug 21st post above….that’s what it looked like when I saw it back in August too…..
I wonder what they are doing to it….

Thanks for letting us know, Bway, but I’m sorry to read the sad news about both the Eagle Theatre and your forgetting your memory card for your camera.

I wonder what will be built in the Eagle Theater’s place ?

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