RKO Keith's Theatre

As far as what “the people” would support I was walking down 35th Ave. by Linden Place (2 blocks away from the RKO) when I looked to my right and did a double take: A large RKO sized ornate elaborately decorated building:

it almost looks like the RKO. The description:
The “Linden Place” is a large event space and banquet hall, with a ballroom dance floor, gilt dome ceiling and faux “European ” paintings that decorate the walls. The Dim Sum isn’t so bad and the kitschy decor can be kind of charming. There’s a parking garage and a large variety of rooms, complete with plush Victorian chairs, that can accommodate a number of parties.
So it would seem that “the people” could easily adapt the RKO style. Although I wonder how happy they would be with Patrick Thompson’s mass of studio apartments: lets see $160M/357 at 25K/yr = 17.7 years, yeah sure I’d lend him the money – I think Flushing needs to plan for something just in case this doesn’t happen.

I would think the proximity of the 7 train and the LIRR would mitigate the need for parking. Also, I seem to remember some big municipal lots in the area.

There have been theaters that have burned to the ground and been restored. Restoration has run the gamut from shell to using the foyer while the auditorium is restored. I was also actually in the RKO auditorium this February and cost items like the balcony truss, hallways stairways and exterior walls are all still intact. A lot of plaster work is also there. It has been a convenient retoric to declare it beyond repair with no survey or photos. The Thompson proposal calls for a whopping $8M to restore the lobby, which is virtually intact except for the railing and fountain, most will go into the “steel cage”. The seating: a lot of the same thing and stage are the easiest to replace. The 17 story tower will cost $160M (assuming the foundation goes as planned) is a lot more of a technical challenge. But the real cost will be with the community, when you won’t be able to park, turn onto Main St. or cross the Flushing Bay bridge for 3 years because Sky View Parc, Flushing Commons, Willets Point and a host of other developments are all scheduled to go up at the same time. In the end you won’t be able to fit on the No. 7 or any bus line either.

Wow, I had no idea of the damage in the auditorium. I think you are right. It has reached “the point of no return” What a shame!!!!!!
It looks like a bomb went off inside……

It was my observation that much of the damage fits into two categories: incurred during the dismantling of the triplex subdivision; or by design: the specific removal of architectural details and fixtures crated and stored in the theater. I have assembled a youtube presentation at:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=117fo2tVDvg[/url]
The RKO is a community cultural asset that should not be compromised for a scheme that proposes to save a portion at the expense of the whole; the theater and lobby are integrally tied together.

Thanks so much….You cleared alot of questions.

BTW only the 5,000 gallon water tank remains, not sure when the 10,000 gallon tank went, but you can see it in this 1973 photo. The September 2010 tornado knocked off parts of the remaining tank putting a hole through the roof mentioned before. Demolition by neglect proceeds, now you can read about dampness and perhaps even the presence of mildew in the local papers.

http://www.rko.com/

That’s a loaded question, BobbyS! For an unusually through and complete history of RKO Pictures and the theater chain, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RKO_Pictures I had assumed RKO went completely under years ago, when General Tire finally relinquished RKO General, but apparently the name was kept alive as RKO Pictures LLC, founded by Ted Hartley and Dina Merrill in 1989, with offices in LA and NY. However, they have no connection with either the theaters or the rights to RKO films.

I went to the Dec 19th photo. I think the theater I see is not the Keith’s arriving at LGA. Is there another theater building around there? We pass right over it as we land. I know for years there was a rather large marquee and a vertical that has been since stripped. I can’t imagine there are two remaing large empty theaters in one area. Maybe I am thinking of the roof sign on the Keith’s. I would love to attend Loews Paradise in the Bronx, but nothing on the menu interests me.

I have to agree with Jeffery1955. I still get a “chill” when I come to NY and we fly over NYC on a clear day. When I fly to LGA, the plane always passes over the Keith’s. I have been doing this for 40 years. When did they take down the signage? Wasn’t there a large vertical or perhaps I am thnking of a roof sign. This building is easy to spot in Flushing for a theater lover!

Hey that was kinda close! Good thing they got that variance – close enough to make a glass wall undulate:

LOL Dang ya got me! :)