Apparently the campaign to save the theater didn’t generate any private interest. Accordingly, the Town of Smithtown has announced its plan to purchase the theater and lease it to an arts organization. There was an article in Newday on December 10th.
I’ve been in the theater and the footprint is not particularly large. In addition, at some point, the floor from the projection booth was extended totally over the auditorium. Neither of the two floors resulting have ceilings higher than a normal house which places limits on what can be accommodated. There could be no performances unless the auditorium was restored. And, quite frankly, there are already a dozen or so existing performance venue in Nassau and Suffolk.
There is a proposal to incorporate the structure into a condo complex retaining the existing frontage on Main Street. The project is called Islip Theater Lofts. Proposed plans can be accessed via Google.
This is actually the second time Cardinale has stepped up to revive the theatre. The first time was quite awhile back. The Newsday article describing it was titled, I think, “The awakening of the Mattituck Theatre”. I believe he put $125,000 into it at that time.
Have to eyeball it one day. The auditorium on the left was space later acquired and added to the original footprint.
The films mentioned in the article were playing at Greenport the previous week. Has to see how this plays out.
Turner Classics just showed a documentary, “Movie Man”, about the owner. It would seem only one auditorium is showing films. The rest house the ever expanding museum.
The opening ad does not specifically state Mattituck 3 so, perhaps, additional screens will open down the road. Next time I’m out that way I’ll try and eyeball the situation.
ridethetrain does this mean they have relinquished the space acquired later in it’s operation when they expanded? Did they combine a couple of the auditoriums for a totally new configuration?
Interesting to see how this plays out now that three of the screens at Greenport are also open and showing at least one of the same films.
Surprising that they hadn’t put a teaser on the pylon prior to the “soft” opening.
Will be called The Southampton Playhouse. The original marquee will be retained. It will introduced IMAX to the Hamptons. Have not seen any indication of the new layout or how many auditoriums will result. As a non-profit they are already soliciting membership. Originally reported to open before 2015 but this being the end of October makes that unlikely. Maybe a Christmas opening?
I believe the Manager was also associated with the Malverne which just recently closed. One of the Facebook posts subsequent to closure of the North Shore Towers mentioned the film about Harvey Milk would be playing at the Malverne.
Now there are only monthly “greetings” on Facebook. The theatre is gone, however.
The Theatre is closed and, apparently, has been so for months. According to a May posting on the theatre’s Facebook page: “The Board of Directors and the Management of the North Shore Towers Theatre have decided to take the Theatre to another direction”. Whatever that means. Phone is disconnected.
ridethetrain - saw the same information as you. Phone isn’t working for additional confirmation. I don’t actually live in the area, and will not be passing through for a couple of weeks, so I can’t physically confirm at this time. Never thought it would happen. Closed since 2016. Wonder if people will even go at this point with so many changes in viewing habits due to the closing of so many theatres.
Theatre was named for a local woman, Paula Foil McMahan Julander.
Theatre is being renovated along with the revitalization of other buildings. The black brick facade has been removed which was placed over the original stucco. Image of it’s removal in the photo section. Also an image of a portion of the original marquee.
Building appears to be abandoned and derelict. Some letters from the last movies are on the marquee. Show windows are bare and broken. Lobby doors are papered over.
Had the good fortune of getting a tour of the NFAC today. I was in town and walked in. First time I’d been in the building in over 50 years. The main area was very inviting. The met the owner, Tony, and he explained that when he took over he did nothing to change the configuration previously put in place: original auditorium now houses two screens, the small theatre in the back, which must have been dressing rooms at one time, is currently used for storage, and the balcony, seating over 300, is being prepped for live productions, the first of which is scheduled later this week: Brooklyn Ballet Theatre. This is where the bulk of true renovations, not just repair or upgrade, are taking place. In fact, what could very well be the original carpeting and seats are still in place. Seats look good the carpet could use a good cleaning.
Later in the year an elevator and dressing rooms will be installed. The former lobby, which had been converted to a small cafe has been named the Metro Cafe paying homage to the original theatre which stood on this site until it was destroyed by a hurricane. The former exit doors are now the entrance. There are a number of old photos of the facade taken over time, theatre cards and an old Air Conditioned banner from days past on display.
Apparently the campaign to save the theater didn’t generate any private interest. Accordingly, the Town of Smithtown has announced its plan to purchase the theater and lease it to an arts organization. There was an article in Newday on December 10th.
I’ve been in the theater and the footprint is not particularly large. In addition, at some point, the floor from the projection booth was extended totally over the auditorium. Neither of the two floors resulting have ceilings higher than a normal house which places limits on what can be accommodated. There could be no performances unless the auditorium was restored. And, quite frankly, there are already a dozen or so existing performance venue in Nassau and Suffolk.
There is a proposal to incorporate the structure into a condo complex retaining the existing frontage on Main Street. The project is called Islip Theater Lofts. Proposed plans can be accessed via Google.
This is actually the second time Cardinale has stepped up to revive the theatre. The first time was quite awhile back. The Newsday article describing it was titled, I think, “The awakening of the Mattituck Theatre”. I believe he put $125,000 into it at that time.
Have to eyeball it one day. The auditorium on the left was space later acquired and added to the original footprint.
The films mentioned in the article were playing at Greenport the previous week. Has to see how this plays out.
Turner Classics just showed a documentary, “Movie Man”, about the owner. It would seem only one auditorium is showing films. The rest house the ever expanding museum.
The opening ad does not specifically state Mattituck 3 so, perhaps, additional screens will open down the road. Next time I’m out that way I’ll try and eyeball the situation.
The original 1, 2 and 3 in the day seated 241, 159 and 162 respectively.
I’ll have to check it out in person. Unfortunately I won’t be out that way for some time.
ridethetrain does this mean they have relinquished the space acquired later in it’s operation when they expanded? Did they combine a couple of the auditoriums for a totally new configuration?
Interesting to see how this plays out now that three of the screens at Greenport are also open and showing at least one of the same films.
Surprising that they hadn’t put a teaser on the pylon prior to the “soft” opening.
Must have just reopened. Drove past last Thursday and there was nothing on the pylon.
Will be called The Southampton Playhouse. The original marquee will be retained. It will introduced IMAX to the Hamptons. Have not seen any indication of the new layout or how many auditoriums will result. As a non-profit they are already soliciting membership. Originally reported to open before 2015 but this being the end of October makes that unlikely. Maybe a Christmas opening?
I believe the Manager was also associated with the Malverne which just recently closed. One of the Facebook posts subsequent to closure of the North Shore Towers mentioned the film about Harvey Milk would be playing at the Malverne.
Now there are only monthly “greetings” on Facebook. The theatre is gone, however.
The Theatre is closed and, apparently, has been so for months. According to a May posting on the theatre’s Facebook page: “The Board of Directors and the Management of the North Shore Towers Theatre have decided to take the Theatre to another direction”. Whatever that means. Phone is disconnected.
Uploaded a photo of the Jerry Lewis Cinema as a single screen venue from Images of America.
How likely is it that the landlord will find somebody to rent if they are the ones to replace the heating system.
Nearby theatres should also include the Old Country.
Problem with the Times Square is it couldn’t resume since it no longer was up to code re loading.
A “Blizzard” cooling system was installed in 1926.
ridethetrain - saw the same information as you. Phone isn’t working for additional confirmation. I don’t actually live in the area, and will not be passing through for a couple of weeks, so I can’t physically confirm at this time. Never thought it would happen. Closed since 2016. Wonder if people will even go at this point with so many changes in viewing habits due to the closing of so many theatres.
The three doors on the eastern wall, from the parking lot, are 2,5,4.
Theatre was named for a local woman, Paula Foil McMahan Julander.
Theatre is being renovated along with the revitalization of other buildings. The black brick facade has been removed which was placed over the original stucco. Image of it’s removal in the photo section. Also an image of a portion of the original marquee.
Pfohl’s are a prominent family in Mt. Pleasant.
Building appears to be abandoned and derelict. Some letters from the last movies are on the marquee. Show windows are bare and broken. Lobby doors are papered over.
Two current films and one classic available this week.
Films are to be new releases and art films. A major premiere is supposed to happen. ???
Had the good fortune of getting a tour of the NFAC today. I was in town and walked in. First time I’d been in the building in over 50 years. The main area was very inviting. The met the owner, Tony, and he explained that when he took over he did nothing to change the configuration previously put in place: original auditorium now houses two screens, the small theatre in the back, which must have been dressing rooms at one time, is currently used for storage, and the balcony, seating over 300, is being prepped for live productions, the first of which is scheduled later this week: Brooklyn Ballet Theatre. This is where the bulk of true renovations, not just repair or upgrade, are taking place. In fact, what could very well be the original carpeting and seats are still in place. Seats look good the carpet could use a good cleaning.
Later in the year an elevator and dressing rooms will be installed. The former lobby, which had been converted to a small cafe has been named the Metro Cafe paying homage to the original theatre which stood on this site until it was destroyed by a hurricane. The former exit doors are now the entrance. There are a number of old photos of the facade taken over time, theatre cards and an old Air Conditioned banner from days past on display.
Good luck Tony!!