As a committee, we are not giving up!!! Councilwoman Katz is beyond hope, and is the most developer-friendly politician out there. She has refused countless times to meet with us, and her campaign contributions illustrate how she is heavily supported by the greedy “over-developers.” The Trylon-adorned ticket booth will be rebuilt even if it’s not at the site for the time being. It will be a symbol which says “We will not permit our history & culture to be torn apart by greed!!!”
I recommend ArtKraft Strauss, a company that has been in operation for nearly a century, and produced marquees & illuminated signs for many noteworthy theaters. Please follow: www.artkraft.com
Mel R – Welcome to Cinema Treasures! Was the RKO Keith’s recently cited in any newspaper? I was unaware that the proposal was denied once again. I hope Boymelgreen will choose to RESTORE more of the building. Please encourage as many people as possible to sign this petition, since enough is enough:
Thank you for contributing, Warren, and thank you KenRoe for the additional information. When inserting the address into the DOB site, it is listed as a store. I am unfamiliar with Bayside so I can’t be too specific, but when I do come across some additional info, I will be more than happy to share it.
I passed by the Elmwood Theater about a week ago and noticed that the glazed terra cotta lintels above the upper windows & beneath the frieze have been minimized. The central portion of each lintel is still present, but what happened to the sides? I also notice that it was carted away since the facade has the imprint where it was removed. I thought the exterior is being restored & the terra cotta is being repaired, since that was what I heard originally. This is shocking! Am I seeing correctly? If you have a chance, pass by the site & then compare it to the photo on top of this thread. Please share your thoughts.
It would be a conversation piece if anyone took a photo of the facade with vacant lots all around, as it appeared last summer. Even now, some quality photos can be taken. If anyone has taken photos, please share them. I do miss the original interior though, despite the shape it was in. I hope the modern theater will duplicate the intricate plasterwork, but with modern technological conveniences. That would put the icing on the cake, since the original interior has already been demolished.
I recall participating in Manhattan Association of Cabaret & Clubs (MAC) functions there in 1999, after an awards ceremony and show at Town Hall, across the street. Looking forward to seeing whether Henry Miller’s Theatre will be something we can call “a victory!”
I am from NY. What superb photos & a cherishable theater! The theater should be rebuilt. If this is arson, it is even more devestating. The developers should by no means get their wish!!! Long live the Empress!
Bless all those involved in the restoration of a gem for the sake of art & architecture, culture, history, and society. What an inspiration for all generations to come!!! Please follow the footsteps!
Nick Nicolaou is a very determined individual! It might be a good idea if he would be willing to add the Ridgewood Theater to his collection, although ALthefilmguy on the Ridgewood thread might already be working on that project. Too bad Nick didn’t add the Trylon Theater to his collection a few years back!
It is a shame that we have to fight this hard to try to preserve it. It wouldn’t have been difficult for a “reputable” owner to keep the exterior intact, and preserve defining features of the interior. What were they thinking?!? Shame on them! With the presently intact Queens Museum of Art facing a risk of being altered & expanded, we will have no traces of the 1939 World’s Fair left! :(
The interior is in an even worse state than the exterior, and the interior photos that were Aug 2005 posted on this site. It seems as if they are working inside on a daily basis, but not too much progress has been made over the course of the last year. In Aug 2005, the hand-painted cloth murals were on both sides of the theater stage. No one at the site or any affiliate has responded to their whereabouts, causing the committee and other preservationists to believe they have been completely destroyed. The auditorium, which the owner promised would be left mostly intact, seems gutted. There are numerous violations at the site/Stop Work Orders. When CM Katz was informed, she turned her back on her constituents. It’s very sad! We’ll keep fighting for preservation of the streamlined facade, glass block tower, and restoration of the marquee. The entrance pavilion’s mosaic/terrazzo floor which bears the Trylon logo & features Art Deco chevrons, is still present, but the Education Center for Russian Jewry & the councilwoman, change the subject. They promised to rescue facade features, but without landmarking and the lies accumulating, there is no confirmation. I suggest that any enthusiasts who are interested in volunteering for the Committee To Save The Trylon or lending their support by contacting key officials, to e-mail us at Thanks!
It seems as if they will keep the rooftop sign, which will add to the building’s distinctive history. The address & phone of the Rock Community Church/Elmwood is as follows:
Rock Community Church
5702 Hoffman Dr
Elmhurst, NY 11373
(718) 651-2950
That is a very intresting point, Warren. It is something that will be looked into. Thank you for pointing it out! Here’s the article in the New Yorker magazine, for all those who are interested:
This is great news!!! Thank you for sharing it. I am glad the Landmarks Preservation Commission didn’t disregard this theater. There are several others throughout the 5 boroughs that they have stalled on calendaring for a hearing, or refused to grant a hearing, resulting in much confusion. It is a victory to know that it is officially designated, and a piece of “paradise” will be here to stay. For the convenience of members on this site, you can follow this link:
As a side note, if anyone feels a theater or another building is landmark-worthy, please send a request for evaluation form to the LPC. They’re available on their website. Please don’t forget to stand up for what you believe in!
Nicolos Nicolaou who owns the Cinemart Theater in Forest Hills & CC Cinemas on the Upper East Side, sealed the deal on the Alpine Theater. It will show films and also operate as a cultural center. It’s superb that he made a committment to reuse this 1921 theater, sparing it from the all too familiar drugstore. Looking forward to this victory! These links may be of interest:
Thank you very much for sharing this. Perhaps that will be one of my future efforts. In regard to the Cinemart, I hope to work with the owner and restore remnants of the interior. From what I’ve seen beneath the paneling, an ornate ceiling does exist, although it might have some holes.
Kew Gardens Cinemas has one of the “blandest” facades, which bears no evidence of its Art Deco splendor. I have never been to this theater. I hope that the original facade is underneath, and can be restored. Forest Hills 100th anniversary is this year & Kew Gardens Cinemas borders Forest Hills. What better way is there to celebrate than restore as many historic buildings as possible!?! Does anyone have any photos prior to the renovation, or recall how it once looked? Let’s work together, & hopefully we can convince the owner that our vision is viable. Please help. Thanks!
Has anyone visited the Elmwood Theatre/Rock Community Church recently & taken photos of the restoration in progress? I would prefer interior shots, although my fellow members might find exterior shots beneficial as well. Much appreciated!
Do restoration plans include rebuilding the entire facade which would bring back its 2nd story? Anything less is not a restoration in my opinion. The photo on top of this thread is what I hope the theater will look like once the theater is restored. Please let me know.
As a committee, we are not giving up!!! Councilwoman Katz is beyond hope, and is the most developer-friendly politician out there. She has refused countless times to meet with us, and her campaign contributions illustrate how she is heavily supported by the greedy “over-developers.” The Trylon-adorned ticket booth will be rebuilt even if it’s not at the site for the time being. It will be a symbol which says “We will not permit our history & culture to be torn apart by greed!!!”
I recommend ArtKraft Strauss, a company that has been in operation for nearly a century, and produced marquees & illuminated signs for many noteworthy theaters. Please follow: www.artkraft.com
Mel R – Welcome to Cinema Treasures! Was the RKO Keith’s recently cited in any newspaper? I was unaware that the proposal was denied once again. I hope Boymelgreen will choose to RESTORE more of the building. Please encourage as many people as possible to sign this petition, since enough is enough:
View link
Try contacting the Brooklyn-based developer, Boymelgreen, for interior photos. Interior landmarks must be open to the public by law.
Thank you for contributing, Warren, and thank you KenRoe for the additional information. When inserting the address into the DOB site, it is listed as a store. I am unfamiliar with Bayside so I can’t be too specific, but when I do come across some additional info, I will be more than happy to share it.
I hope their vision is achieved!!!
I passed by the Elmwood Theater about a week ago and noticed that the glazed terra cotta lintels above the upper windows & beneath the frieze have been minimized. The central portion of each lintel is still present, but what happened to the sides? I also notice that it was carted away since the facade has the imprint where it was removed. I thought the exterior is being restored & the terra cotta is being repaired, since that was what I heard originally. This is shocking! Am I seeing correctly? If you have a chance, pass by the site & then compare it to the photo on top of this thread. Please share your thoughts.
It would be a conversation piece if anyone took a photo of the facade with vacant lots all around, as it appeared last summer. Even now, some quality photos can be taken. If anyone has taken photos, please share them. I do miss the original interior though, despite the shape it was in. I hope the modern theater will duplicate the intricate plasterwork, but with modern technological conveniences. That would put the icing on the cake, since the original interior has already been demolished.
I recall participating in Manhattan Association of Cabaret & Clubs (MAC) functions there in 1999, after an awards ceremony and show at Town Hall, across the street. Looking forward to seeing whether Henry Miller’s Theatre will be something we can call “a victory!”
I am from NY. What superb photos & a cherishable theater! The theater should be rebuilt. If this is arson, it is even more devestating. The developers should by no means get their wish!!! Long live the Empress!
Hi Joel!
Here’s a photo from Ed Solero’s new website documenting theaters around Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, & some other interesting links:
View link
Bless all those involved in the restoration of a gem for the sake of art & architecture, culture, history, and society. What an inspiration for all generations to come!!! Please follow the footsteps!
Nick Nicolaou is a very determined individual! It might be a good idea if he would be willing to add the Ridgewood Theater to his collection, although ALthefilmguy on the Ridgewood thread might already be working on that project. Too bad Nick didn’t add the Trylon Theater to his collection a few years back!
Thank you for sharing this NY1 news story. What a great article!
“You can say that again!”
It is a shame that we have to fight this hard to try to preserve it. It wouldn’t have been difficult for a “reputable” owner to keep the exterior intact, and preserve defining features of the interior. What were they thinking?!? Shame on them! With the presently intact Queens Museum of Art facing a risk of being altered & expanded, we will have no traces of the 1939 World’s Fair left! :(
Warren’s first reason seems more like it in this case.
The interior is in an even worse state than the exterior, and the interior photos that were Aug 2005 posted on this site. It seems as if they are working inside on a daily basis, but not too much progress has been made over the course of the last year. In Aug 2005, the hand-painted cloth murals were on both sides of the theater stage. No one at the site or any affiliate has responded to their whereabouts, causing the committee and other preservationists to believe they have been completely destroyed. The auditorium, which the owner promised would be left mostly intact, seems gutted. There are numerous violations at the site/Stop Work Orders. When CM Katz was informed, she turned her back on her constituents. It’s very sad! We’ll keep fighting for preservation of the streamlined facade, glass block tower, and restoration of the marquee. The entrance pavilion’s mosaic/terrazzo floor which bears the Trylon logo & features Art Deco chevrons, is still present, but the Education Center for Russian Jewry & the councilwoman, change the subject. They promised to rescue facade features, but without landmarking and the lies accumulating, there is no confirmation. I suggest that any enthusiasts who are interested in volunteering for the Committee To Save The Trylon or lending their support by contacting key officials, to e-mail us at Thanks!
It seems as if they will keep the rooftop sign, which will add to the building’s distinctive history. The address & phone of the Rock Community Church/Elmwood is as follows:
Rock Community Church
5702 Hoffman Dr
Elmhurst, NY 11373
(718) 651-2950
That is a very intresting point, Warren. It is something that will be looked into. Thank you for pointing it out! Here’s the article in the New Yorker magazine, for all those who are interested:
www.newyorkmetro.com/realestate/features/2016/17152/index.html
This is great news!!! Thank you for sharing it. I am glad the Landmarks Preservation Commission didn’t disregard this theater. There are several others throughout the 5 boroughs that they have stalled on calendaring for a hearing, or refused to grant a hearing, resulting in much confusion. It is a victory to know that it is officially designated, and a piece of “paradise” will be here to stay. For the convenience of members on this site, you can follow this link:
www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/press/05_16_06.pdf
ENJOY!!!
As a side note, if anyone feels a theater or another building is landmark-worthy, please send a request for evaluation form to the LPC. They’re available on their website. Please don’t forget to stand up for what you believe in!
Nicolos Nicolaou who owns the Cinemart Theater in Forest Hills & CC Cinemas on the Upper East Side, sealed the deal on the Alpine Theater. It will show films and also operate as a cultural center. It’s superb that he made a committment to reuse this 1921 theater, sparing it from the all too familiar drugstore. Looking forward to this victory! These links may be of interest:
www.courierlife.net/site/news.cfm?newsid=16583707&BRD=2384&PAG=461&dept_id=560112&rfi=6
www.brooklynpapers.com/html/issues/_vol29/29_18/29_18nets6.html
NY Sun: http://w4.stern.nyu.edu/news/news.cfm?doc_id=5859
Thank you very much for sharing this. Perhaps that will be one of my future efforts. In regard to the Cinemart, I hope to work with the owner and restore remnants of the interior. From what I’ve seen beneath the paneling, an ornate ceiling does exist, although it might have some holes.
Kew Gardens Cinemas has one of the “blandest” facades, which bears no evidence of its Art Deco splendor. I have never been to this theater. I hope that the original facade is underneath, and can be restored. Forest Hills 100th anniversary is this year & Kew Gardens Cinemas borders Forest Hills. What better way is there to celebrate than restore as many historic buildings as possible!?! Does anyone have any photos prior to the renovation, or recall how it once looked? Let’s work together, & hopefully we can convince the owner that our vision is viable. Please help. Thanks!
Has anyone visited the Elmwood Theatre/Rock Community Church recently & taken photos of the restoration in progress? I would prefer interior shots, although my fellow members might find exterior shots beneficial as well. Much appreciated!
Do restoration plans include rebuilding the entire facade which would bring back its 2nd story? Anything less is not a restoration in my opinion. The photo on top of this thread is what I hope the theater will look like once the theater is restored. Please let me know.