Kings Theatre
1027 Flatbush Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11226
1027 Flatbush Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11226
86 people
favorited this theater
Showing 276 - 300 of 1,564 comments
Yes. She shot that down in the same post that she mentioned how happy she was to hear it was being restored.
Her connection to the Kings is nothing more than the fact she saw movies there, correct? She shot down the myth that she was an usher, if I recall.
She’s aware of it. She mentioned it on her blog a while back.
That is a great thought Tinseltoes. I also wonder if she will request a tour of her “old haunt”.
I too will shut up and just be patient!
It is not a question of whether a developer “knows about” the process and the steps involved (I am sure that ACE does, as it is completing work on the Saenger restoration in New Orleans and that was certainly comparably complicated), it is that the process and time required is notoriously unpredictable, because of the fact the various agencies operate independently and often autonomously; in some cases, when an applicant’s plans are disapproved or sent back for changes, the process has to be restarted with one or more of the other agencies.
I still don’t understand the snails pace at which things move these days. It probably took less time for George and C.W. Rapp to design the entire building back in 1928 than it’s taking to figure out the renovation today. And I’ll bet it took only around 10-14 months to build the Kings. But, I will shut up and just be patient.
Even if the Uptown gets the money next year, I doubt it will open by 2015. This stuff takes time. Last I heard (and it was confirmed by the Ditmas Park Corner) ACE is still trying to figure out the best way to replicate the decor of the theater.
On the other hand, Jam Productions here in Chicago have everything ready to start on the Uptown Theater. Parking, traffic flow,alcohol license,design teams(the seats on the main floor will be removed for a dance floor).What is NOT in place is the $70 million funds which they predict will happen next year with an opening date in 2015. They would never have bought the building to let it sit for years and had plenty of time to “iron out” the details. Its not that we are pessimists, but is there even a sign outside the Kings announcing the project? Does Ace actually own the building and have title?
Has it occurred to anyone that ACE knew full well how long it would take and THAT is why it is not projected to open until 2015 even though the deal was reached a coupe of years ago? I have no doubt whatsoever that this theater will be restored as planned. NONE.
:–)
It says right on the front page of ACE’s website “Projected to open in 2015” You guys are such pessimists. Just because they’re not announcing every single step, doesn’t mean nothing is going on.
Surely ACE would have known about all this red tape when they estimated completion by 2014. Hopefully you are correct that the bureaucracy involved is the culprit. I’m sure it takes a long time to line up public funding; however, if there is no progress within the next few months I think we can assume that the project is at least on hold.
Oh would that that were true! But in this case, just as an example, a lengthy impact study had to be completed to determine how traffic and transportation would be affected even before any work began (this can be found online). Then there will be the approval of construction plans by various city and state agencies, environmental impact statements, and review for adherence to hiring and affirmative action requirements (especially if public funds are involved).
In addition, if this theater has an historic designation or is within an historic district, additional panels will have to review the plans and determine if the repairs and alterations conform to preservation guidelines. If the operator wants to serve alcohol, the there will be a review of the license application. In addition, there may be neighborhood groups or civic groups that may want to have a legitimate say in the project.
Many of the agencies involved in these reviews are autonomous and cannot be overruled by another body, even in the interest of expediting the process.
It is not my intention to be negative here; it is just that I have had some personal if low level experience in trying to save a few theaters and the process is often frustrating and complicated.
On the other hand, one would think the city/state would “grease” the way for a prompt easying of bureaucratic rules to get this project up & running. It will be 2013 in three months. A delay would only hurt the investors I would think. I think I will go with Scott on this one..
On the other hand, one would think the city/state would “grease” the way for a prompt easying of bureaucratic rules to get this project up & running. It will be 2013 in three months. A delay would only hurt the investors I would think. I think I will go with Scott on this one..
There does not seem to have been anything in the print media since the announcements in February; however, the project is still listed at the ACE Theatrical website with a completion date set for 2014. It would not surprise me if the delay may be due to the often maze-like, cumbersome, regulatory, and bureaucratic set of hurdles that projects such as this have to jump, especially in large cities.
I don’t want to believe Tinseltoes posting the need for the King’s existing due to the new Barclays opening and the small theater created for smaller shows. I wonder what tax breaks the Barclays received from the city/state and if any public funds were used in that massive project. Is The King’s to be funded by ACE entirely? I thought the city manager had a hand in it. You might be on to something Scott….
Bobby, yes one would think that the restoration would have started by now. Though people say otherwise, I suspect ACE is having second thoughts about the magnitude of the investment required.
Since the announcement of the restoration plan,I have not found any new articles,about it.I no longer live in the area so I can’t go to look around.Doesn’t anyone else ever go by? If there is any work going on you could see it,by just walking around out side.There is plenty that has to be done,just to stabilize the building before any restoration work is done.
Has anyone seen any activity or beginning of an activity at the Loew’s Kings…In a few months it will be 2013. Surely something should have been started if they insist on a 2015 opening whouldn’t you think??
Maybe the name should be changed to Former Cinema Treasures since more than 2/3 of the entries are no longer functioning in that capacity and a goodly portion of those have been demolished or are just slowly crumbling, with some help from the locals.
Well, now let me think. Could it be because the King’s is an outstanding example of a Rapp & Rapp movie palace, irreplacable in its design and architecture? Could it be that some events are better suited to a large, luxurious proscenium theater than a sterile, curtained off chunk of an arena better suited to sports events? Or might it be the fact that a functioning theater like the Kings stimulates a neighborhood’s small business environment more than an arena that will be built over railroad tracks that will be unavailable as a theater for many periods when the basketball team that will play there needs the whole space? Is it very likely that anyone would ever want to stage a film festival or premiere film event in a draped-off portion of a sports arena that this so called “theater” really is? To me, this like asking “Why preserve Radio City Music Hall or the Ziegfield when we could just hang drapes over a part of the Javits Center or the Meadowlands arena?”
One of the principal and foundational purposes of this site is the preservation of theaters in fact, in record, and in memory. I found this question to be totally inappropriate here.
Good news indeed!!!!!
I just received word from the Brooklyn Borough President’s office that the Loew’s Kings project is definitely a GO!! The funding is in place and construction commencement is destined for the end of this year. This is good news.
You named yourself perferctly ZiegfeldMan. I love the Ziegfeld Theater. It really is a movie palace! Somewhat modern, but truly beautiful. I would have loved to have seen the first Ziegfeld. Must have been great. For that matter I wish I saw the Capitol! I did see and was inside the Loews State & Paramount Times Sq. at the very end of their existence. These were major showplaces and I loved them both….