It was bland because of the color is is now painted. The original color scheme would obviously have been anything but bland . Rapp and Rapp did really knockout lobbies .While this was not a knockout it was still quite good
They have the top half and can replicate the bottom half by using the top part as a guide. To get to 3,000 seats they would have to do upstairs as well If they brought back the Kings anything is possible.Add to that they would have access to photos and the original blueprints.
Why the Roxy or Paramount or State or Brooklyn Fox? It is was always about than as it is now – The Benjamins . Art means nothing . NYC has lost so much over the years. Times Square is a big tourist trap. Anything that made it special or unique is long gone. By the way, I live in NYC and see how it has changed over the years and not for the better.
Last word. If it has not been done in 30 plus years it is not happening. If you want to continue to hold onto it please do.I am moving on. I will see the restored lobby when the building is finished. I want to see the restored Brooklyn Paramount which should be great
Look at the photo on this page. Are you kidding? I have been in hundreds of theaters over the years as a historian. Many were derelict and some were in better condition than the Keith’s. They all had one thing in common and that is they never reopened . If you think this could ever be brought back as a functioning theater you do indeed believe in pipe dreams.No one in their right mind would sink money into it even if their was interest in it.The building itself may be unsafe . I was in it years ago and you could see that.
The community does not care about it. The politicians also do not give a hoot.More importantly there is nothing left to save. I worked on saving it during the 80’s . Save what you can as trying to restore the theater as it was is a pipe dream.
Live in NYC but have been in it a few times. You in Chicago should know how fragile they are. You lost the Southtown,Tivoli,Nortown,Granada and most of the loop theaters. Lesson 1. Do not put your faith in politicians as they will screw you every time. Secondly,they can be reused as The Kings And Brooklyn Paramount are. It would be an act of civic vandalism if this came down. Get civic minded people together to save it. Good luck
Just read that Landmarks Preservation gave OK for plan to build condos above the lobby. It will be glass enclosed and will serve as the entrance to the condos . It is finally coming to fruition . At least that will be saved as the rest of the building is a wreck. Would be nice if they could restore the fountain.
Just heard on news the renovation is starting. The seating will be 3,000 seats and not the 1,500 mentioned previously . I want to go back and see the finished product
Watch Gotham on Fox Monday night 5/8. The preview shows the interior of the Kings featured. Interesting to see how the theater is shown in this and how long the segment will be.
I was involved in the attempt to save the Triboro in Astoria and the Keith’s. I was in it years ago and it is beyond saving. It is simply to far gone. In addition,there is no use for it especially in view of the neighborhood. The populace simply does not care about it.
It was closed for over 30 plus years with no maintenance. The fact that it looks this good is flat out amazing. Kudos to the company that did the renovation. Waiting to hear about the Paramounts reopening. Sadly the Fox is no longer with us.
Times Square is now nothing more than a Disneyland for adults . It is a shell of what it used to be. It is a tourist trap. By the way,I live in NY and avoid it like the plague.
I just saw this. Apparently the bar was only open during the run of the movie and was a small set up inside the theater . It was never a stand alone structure hence no photos of it.
For many years,I was really involved with the architecture of these theaters. Look on this site for the Mastbaum in Philly. Over 4,000 seats and unbelievably ornate. Sad to say,I was never in it.
Lou. I live in NY. No one ever thought the Paramount or Roxy would come down What about the scores of theaters torn down in Chicago? If someone throws enough money around it will be gone in the blink of an eye sad to say
Around the corner was the Ben Hur bar in the old USO space I believe . No pictures that I know of exist. When the Roxy came down it signaled open season on all on the picture palaces . Times Square used to be an oasis . Quite soon,it became a barren desert
It was bland because of the color is is now painted. The original color scheme would obviously have been anything but bland . Rapp and Rapp did really knockout lobbies .While this was not a knockout it was still quite good
The Kings was way more far gone than the Paramount. The theater itself is in much better condition
They have the top half and can replicate the bottom half by using the top part as a guide. To get to 3,000 seats they would have to do upstairs as well If they brought back the Kings anything is possible.Add to that they would have access to photos and the original blueprints.
Why the Roxy or Paramount or State or Brooklyn Fox? It is was always about than as it is now – The Benjamins . Art means nothing . NYC has lost so much over the years. Times Square is a big tourist trap. Anything that made it special or unique is long gone. By the way, I live in NYC and see how it has changed over the years and not for the better.
Last word. If it has not been done in 30 plus years it is not happening. If you want to continue to hold onto it please do.I am moving on. I will see the restored lobby when the building is finished. I want to see the restored Brooklyn Paramount which should be great
Look at the photo on this page. Are you kidding? I have been in hundreds of theaters over the years as a historian. Many were derelict and some were in better condition than the Keith’s. They all had one thing in common and that is they never reopened . If you think this could ever be brought back as a functioning theater you do indeed believe in pipe dreams.No one in their right mind would sink money into it even if their was interest in it.The building itself may be unsafe . I was in it years ago and you could see that.
The community does not care about it. The politicians also do not give a hoot.More importantly there is nothing left to save. I worked on saving it during the 80’s . Save what you can as trying to restore the theater as it was is a pipe dream.
Live in NYC but have been in it a few times. You in Chicago should know how fragile they are. You lost the Southtown,Tivoli,Nortown,Granada and most of the loop theaters. Lesson 1. Do not put your faith in politicians as they will screw you every time. Secondly,they can be reused as The Kings And Brooklyn Paramount are. It would be an act of civic vandalism if this came down. Get civic minded people together to save it. Good luck
Does anything remain of the original ornamentation inside or is it all gone?
Whatever is in the auditorium will go down when they demolish it. Doubt anything will be saved
Different developer this time. May get done now
Just read that Landmarks Preservation gave OK for plan to build condos above the lobby. It will be glass enclosed and will serve as the entrance to the condos . It is finally coming to fruition . At least that will be saved as the rest of the building is a wreck. Would be nice if they could restore the fountain.
Just heard on news the renovation is starting. The seating will be 3,000 seats and not the 1,500 mentioned previously . I want to go back and see the finished product
For a brief moment,it looked like Loews 175th Street. It was the Kings and wished it had been used much more than it was.
Small portion in the theater . Was dimly lit and not really worth watching unless you were a Gotham fan which I am.
Watch Gotham on Fox Monday night 5/8. The preview shows the interior of the Kings featured. Interesting to see how the theater is shown in this and how long the segment will be.
I was involved in the attempt to save the Triboro in Astoria and the Keith’s. I was in it years ago and it is beyond saving. It is simply to far gone. In addition,there is no use for it especially in view of the neighborhood. The populace simply does not care about it.
It was closed for over 30 plus years with no maintenance. The fact that it looks this good is flat out amazing. Kudos to the company that did the renovation. Waiting to hear about the Paramounts reopening. Sadly the Fox is no longer with us.
Times Square is now nothing more than a Disneyland for adults . It is a shell of what it used to be. It is a tourist trap. By the way,I live in NY and avoid it like the plague.
To Mark. Palaces all over the country were torn down. Google San Francisco Fox. Most gorgeous theater ever and it went down .
I just saw this. Apparently the bar was only open during the run of the movie and was a small set up inside the theater . It was never a stand alone structure hence no photos of it.
For many years,I was really involved with the architecture of these theaters. Look on this site for the Mastbaum in Philly. Over 4,000 seats and unbelievably ornate. Sad to say,I was never in it.
Lou. I live in NY. No one ever thought the Paramount or Roxy would come down What about the scores of theaters torn down in Chicago? If someone throws enough money around it will be gone in the blink of an eye sad to say
The Triboro was never a wonder theater just a large neighborhood house.Hard to believe but the 5 wonder theaters are still standing
Around the corner was the Ben Hur bar in the old USO space I believe . No pictures that I know of exist. When the Roxy came down it signaled open season on all on the picture palaces . Times Square used to be an oasis . Quite soon,it became a barren desert