Loew's Canal Theatre
31 Canal Street,
New York,
NY
10002
31 Canal Street,
New York,
NY
10002
24 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 148 comments
Items of historical significance that just happen to have “fallen” from their moorings after 85 years…
Thank you, Jim. I wonder what the DOB would classify as “debris.” Hmm…
Complaint was investigated; results: Disposition: 01/09/2012 – I2 – NO VIOLATION WARRANTED FOR COMPLAINT AT TIME OF INSPECTION Comments: NO CONST. WORK OBSERVED -ONLY REMOVAL OF DEBRIS AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION
Can’t say that sounds promising.
Thank you, Jim! I appreciate your help and the progress report. I visited the DOB link you posted, and I am happy that it is deemed a priority A case. Let’s hope it isn’t what we think.
Thanks Jim!!!!
http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/OverviewForComplaintServlet?requestid=2&vlcompdetlkey=0001483673
I have called 311 – I will let you know if anything comes of that. Work continues on the interior and roof of the building. They are carting out at ton of stuff every morning. I got a slightly better look inside (and a sadly blurry picture that I have posted). From my quick glimpse there is actually more left to the ornate plaster work than I originally thought, but the stage is now completely gone and they appear to be digging out the stage floor.
There are no permits on the DOB site. In addition to the historic interior being at risk, safety is at stake with no permits, let alone when permits are in place. Have you inquired with 311? The facade is now landmarked, & much of any interior work could effect the landmarked portion, and should be brought to the attention of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Dept of Buildings website:
http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/PropertyProfileOverviewServlet?boro=1&houseno=31&street=canal%20st&requestid=0&s=A03C41B885B461E4F46BD08866A7430E
I fear the end for this theater is near. There is a lot of work going on inside – a very quick peak this morning revealed the stage is now completely gone and I saw nothing but bare brick walls in the auditorium – I did not get a great look, but it appears as if they are stripping the interior completely.
There is a lot of work going on the roof of the theater (which visually appears to be in bad shape). For the first time in my 16 years of living in the neighborhood, I saw the doors on Ludlow (closer to Canal than the stage entrance) open. I will do some more investigating – there are no open work permits on the property on the DOB website.
I think the intro is confusing this theatre with the Canal Cinema (Major/Cinema Giglio) which was still operating in the late seventies. This Canal was closed in the late fifties.
When accessing the above Landmarks Designation Report, I was pretty certain that landmarking covers the facade, since it is noted as an Individual Landmark.
I also checked the Dept of Building website, and noticed no active job filings or permits. You may wish to call 311 & report your observation anonymously, as many other people do throughout the city. This is a direct link to the DOB for other members' reference:
View link
I have noticed a lot of work in the last week with workers coming and going from the back stage door. Lots of rolling dumpsters and Chinese workers. Unfortunately – there is no view into the theater from this door. The few times I have walked by – the dumpsters were empty, but I have a bad feeling about all this. However – I checked the NYC DOB website and there are no permits issued or requested.
And just as an FYI – the Landmark designation would only cover the lobby area – it specifically leaves the auditorium out.
What a great recap of the Canal history and the movie industry in NYC.
Thanks, John!
The Landmarks Commission report on the Canal’s designation just came out on its web site. If the link works, it will be something to both enjoy and serve as a valuable addition to this thread. Anyhow, enjoy reading the good news!
View link
Wow, it seems like us two Forest Hills residents got the same idea at the very same time!
Looking further at this, I must also commend the Commission for the relative speed of this action. Usually, the Commission moves only slightly faster than most glaciers. But not this time. Clearly, the active support of the local political and community leadership was a huge factor here.
Attached is the Landmarks Commission’s press release, which was just issued yesterday, announcing the landmark designation of the Canal’s facade. (Hope the link comes through. If it does not, you can view it on the Commission’s web site.)
As one who was involved in the campaign to landmark the Ridgewood Theatre’s facade – another one of Lamb’s creations – let me express my congratulations for the efforts made by those who actively supported this most significant achievement. The Commission is also to be commended for adopting an increasing broad – though hardly inappropriate – definition of buildings that are “landmarks worthy”.
While this only represents the first step in what will doubtless be a lengthy campaign to restore the Canal as positive presence in the community, it is a terrific achievement. Again, congratulations!
View link
P.S. Excuse the typo above.
This is the press September 14, 2010 press release from the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission:
View link
Thanks Tinseltoes! I’m very curious as to what will happen next. I would love to see this restored as a theater, of course, not just for the Chinatown community but for all of downtown which has not one single screen theater. I know that the plan isn’t to convert this back to movies but it would be wonderful if it could have occasional screenings. There is no doubt in my mind that occasional screening along the lines of Loew’s Jersey, would be very successful; especially in a theater of this caliber.
I found this article from last January (2010). I claims that the interior is actually in good shape though all of the interior seats have been removed.
Canal Street Loews To Become Cultural Center
Can the rundown Loew’s Theater at 31 Canal Street make a comeback? Originally opened in 1927, it was run by Loew’s until the 1960s. It then became an indie-run theater until 1980. Now, the NY Post reports, it may have another lease on life, as an Asian-American arts group (CREATE: the Committee to Revitalize and Enrich the Arts and Tomorrow’s Economy) hopes to revive it.
The 2,300-seat theater has been sealed off, but now the arts group has the backing of building owner Thomas Sung to move forward with their plan for a cultural arts center. On top of Sung’s support, the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. gave the group a $150,000 grant to study the project, with another $140,000 promised for planning.
The theater, aside from being stripped of its seats, is still in good shape with the its ornate terra cotta design intact. City Councilmember Alan Gerson told the Villager: “It would be the first theater opening in Chinatown in over a generation, probably several generations. It’ll bolster the arts and culture of Chinatown and it will also bolster the economy.â€
YAY!!!! The New York Landmarks Commission has officially landmarked the Loew’s Canal Theatre! This is fantastic news. What I am not clear about is if the designation was just for exterior or for the interior as well. I also haven’t heard much lately about the plan by the Chinatown developer to restore the theater to public use (though not as a theater per se). Nonetheless, this is excellent news!
Thanks B'way for the picture series on the Second Ave. El. It’s clear that the El trains throughout the borough defined the physical grid of Manhattan, and how urban renewal was a factor of taking down the el lines and redesigning blocks and neighborhoods.
Also blows me away that in 1939 World’s Fair goers could reach Flushing Meadow on the 2nd Ave. El.
I know, but I spelt it like the Home Depot like Home Improvement Chain…..Lowes.
Thanks Tinseltoes. I always questioned whether I should use the apostrophe or not as I remember both spellings in use. Now I know why! I prefer it with the apostrophe though.