Ridgewood Theatre
55-27 Myrtle Avenue,
Ridgewood,
NY
11385
55-27 Myrtle Avenue,
Ridgewood,
NY
11385
31 people
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Landmarked Ridgewood Theatre Available: Call For Proposals
QUEENS, NY (April 4, 2010) – On Jan 12, 2010, the 1916 Ridgewood Theatre, 55-27 Myrtle Ave earned Individual Landmark status after nearly 2 years of advocacy by Chair Michael Perlman of Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre, and also due to parties who testified in favor including the owners: View link The theater is a Greek Revival gem with great square footage, was deemed the longest continuously operating first-run theater upon closure, witnessed a series of firsts in Vaudeville and film history, and was designed by the renown Thomas Lamb.
Closed since March 2008, the owners announced plans in March 2009 to adaptively/creatively reuse the ground floor auditorium as retail, with modern screens upstairs, as well as preserve and restore the historic interior. Currently, the owners may not pursue their plan, and would consider leasing to art, entertainment, cultural groups, or any combination, or selling the theater. Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre is trying to help the owners by finding an individual or group(s) with a creative vision, who value its architectural and cultural history, and will make it an economically viable venture for the up & coming neighborhood of Ridgewood, and accompanying neighborhoods to enjoy. Paul Kerzner of the Ridgewood Property Owners Civic Association is also trying to find such parties.
Please e-mail Chair Michael Perlman at with inquiries and proposals, and all information will be relayed to the owners. *This information is not a representation of the owners, is believed to be accurate, and is subject to change.
Hi Peter, My name is Brendon and my father Lawrence Harfmann graduated with you in 1969. He speaks of a embarassing nickname given to him at that time. I was wondering if you or anyone from the graduateing class knew that name and would be so nice to relay it to me. My email is if anyone would send me the name, i would greatly appreciate it!
I walked by the Ridgewood Theatre at 10:30 this morning (March 26 2010) and saw no change since my last visit on March 1 2010, except for Call 917-578-7701 being back up on the marquee, one door to the inner lobby being open, and the 1990 Rolling Stones poster now gone from the box office window.
The ground floor of the former Ridgewood Times / Bushwick High School Annex building on my old home block at the southern corner of Cypress Avenue and Cornelia Street now looks like it’s become a RAC (Rent A Center). When I was about 3 years of age in 1958 it was a mattress and bedding store. The more things change, the more they remain the same.
Thanks for the updates, gentleman.
I have difficulty imagining the Ridgewood Theatre being made into sixty condos, although something similar is now advertised for the former Ridgewood Times / Bushwick High School Annex building on my old home block at the southern corner of Cypress Avenue and Cornelia Street.
This is what I came across on Craigslist. I have reached out to the owners for an update, and how we can help preserve and reuse it, preferrably for films (even in part). There are funds they can take advantage of, and I am making sure the owners know precisely.
View link
17-54,000sq ft-Busy Myrtle Ave Queens (Myrtle Ave) (map)
Date: 2010-03-15, 7:23PM EDT
Reply to: [Errors when replying to ads?]
Retail Space-Perfect for inside Mall with room for Many Stores- Church- School-Medical Center- Theater- Can be developed into 60 condos+retail space with below ground parking- Tax Credits Available- 20 Min to Manhattan- Near 2 Subway lines- Vibrant Area-
BUSIEST RETAIL AREA IN QUEENS
Call 917-578-7701
Myrtle Ave at Cypress Ave (google map) (yahoo map)
Location: Myrtle Ave
it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 1645803083
It was only speculation John, perhaps the owner is growing impatient on his investment.
Where did you get the information that the City Council had reneged on the landmark designation – or are you just making an assertion? As far as I am aware, City Council approval seems very likely, with both local Council Members on board and no apparent opposition in sight.
I just hope that certain comments raising the possibility of the eventual designation of the Ridgewood’s interior is not giving the owner pause to reconsider his passed support.
Could it be that someone already knows that the City Council already reneged on Landmark status, or is the owner just “testing the waters” before a decision is made?
I was able to visit the Ridgewood yesterday and saw something that was disturbing. Specifically, there is now a sign on the markee advertising a telephone number – 917-578-7701 – for those interested in using the building. When I called the number, I was informed that the owner is interested in considering ANY use – and certainly did not say anything about preserving the lobby or maintaining movie theaters on the second floor. This seems very much like the situation that existed right after the Ridgewood closed. While I hope this is not the case, the prognosis is not good.
Michael, have you gleaned any recent change in the owner’s position on this point?
One other observation, the projector noted above and featured in a video has now been removed.
Thanks for letting me know, Mike. I would like to join.
I’ll be taking my monthly walk past the Ridgewood Theatre the morning of this coming Friday March 19th, and will report here about it as usual.
Thank you, John, for sharing the City Planning Commission report. It is forthcoming!
In the near future, I will be creating a Facebook Group for the Ridgewood Theatre, and I hope that many Cinema Treasures members will join.
Thanks, John.
Here is the concise report from the City Planning Commission approving the Ridgewood’s landmarks designation.
Now it is on to the City Council for final approval.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/cpc/100222.pdf
Small world, P65 !
Hi Peter,
If memory serves me correctly, it was around that exact time…astonishingly with my mother too, and my brother!!
Panzer65, when did you see “The Sound of Music” at the Ridgewood ?
I saw it there with my mom in either late 1967 or early 1968.
The first movie I saw at Ridgewood was “The Sound of Music”….great memory of this historic gem.
Thanks for the input, John.
I just saw the You Tube pieces regarding the old projector and the Ridgewood community. They were great! I really wonder what that old projector is doing in the lobby?
Anyhow, by this time tomorrow, the City Planning Commission will have approved the Landmarks sesignation for this great old theater. Then it is on the a very supportive City Council for final designation!
Thanks for the link, CWalczak, and thanks for getting us back on topic here.
Recent article about the progress being made to reopen the Ridgewood: View link
Yes.
Murken’s..heard of it through a friend who lived a few blocks away on Centre St……never been there , but passed it..sort of a duplicate of Jahn’s without the frills.
Hi, Panzer65, join the fun ! Good reading you again.
I’ve been in Murken’s many times, and remember exactly where it was.
Hello Bway and Peter..just checking in!!