Craig Morrison’s “Theaters” book has a great street view of Hammerstein’s Olympia from Broadway. Quite an elaborate (and large) building!
Opened November 25, 1895, J. B. McElfatrick & Sons architects.
This was a somewhat different concept in entertainment — one ticket would provide access to the entire building which included a 3,815 sesat Music Hall, a 1,850 seat Theater (later called the criterion), a smaller concert hall, a refreshment area and a block-long glassed-in roof garden. Also planned were a rathskeller, an oriental cafe, a billiard parlor, a bowling alley and a turkish bath, but those were never built. Hammerstein was overly-ambitious in his plans and was bankrupt within a year, losing the Olympia to his creditors. But both he and the Olympia prospered for a number of years afterwards.
I do wonder at those seating figures stated above, given how much smaller the venues were when they were converted later (see above)
Craig Morrison’s “Theatres” Book (A Library of Congress Sourcebook), captions the photo at the top of this page as Hammerstein’s Venetian Terrace (Victoria Roof Garden). Opened June 26, 1899, 1,000 seats, architect J. B. McElfatrick & Sons. The photograph dated from 1901.
Hammerstein, after having lost his Olympia (1514-1526 Broadway), built the Victoria at the southern end of Times Square at 1451-1481 Broadway. The Victoria Roof Garden/Venetian was described as being ornamental and delibertately ramshackle in appearance, and was quite popular for a number of years, patrons being able to catch cool breezes from the hearby Hudson River in this semi-enclosed venue. Immediately behind the Roof Garden was Hammerstein’s Paradise Garden, atop Hammerstein’s adjoining Republic Theatre. It also accommodated 1,000 patrons and was designed by J. B. McElfatrick & Sons. This was an open garden featuring a minterature farm, one of whose denizens was a lasvicious monkey that would list women’s skirts. The photo from the book also shows a tudor-style farmhouse, and an old-style windmill next to the promenade with tables and chairs.
According to Craig Morrison’s book “Theaters”, this was originally built in 1913, Magaziner & Potter architects. Originally the New Nixon Theatre. 2,227 seats, but (according to Marquee, 1980, v. 1), reduced to 1,400 upon conversion to movies in 1926. Had burlesque in 30’s.
Seating capacity of the Colonial was 1,256. Probably built in the early 1920s. I remember visiting in mid 80s. The organ grilles and proscenium were covered in modern drapery but the original balcony sidewalls showed, with modestly ornate columns and panels with dark green damask fabric. Building looked like it was built in the early 1920s.
According to their web page (link above) the theatre opened in 1929. The style is fairly exotic – More Moorish than Renaissance revival. Loge has table seating but balcony still has theatre seats.
According to their webpage’s history section (link above), the new Grand opened in 1937, and was indeed a replacement for the one destroyed while under construction (the final result was somewhat bigger). Style is a simple, but pleasant and colorful art deco.
Some good photos both interior and exterior at their official web page. Very rustic – outside is like a large fancy barn, with exposed timbers and stucco walls – large single level of seats. But what we can see of the proscenium looks almost art-moderne – very interesting combination. Looks like a great place to see a show!
Status should be changed to Open. Reopened in October 2006!
Their webpage (link above) has a great photo gallery with historic and current photos throughout the interior.
Events calendar shows an interesting and wide-range of events. Comedy nights, broadway touring productions, fund raisers, high school reunions, quitye a few private events. It’s turned into quite a community resource!
The American Film review annual for 1936 lists an Ashland theatre at 24th Street & Elmwood, seating 2,000. Wonder how that fits in with the two buildings listed above?
According to the AFR of 1936, the Rosedale seated 1,285 and was located at Rosedale & Westchester Avenues.
Craig Morrison’s “Theaters” book has a great street view of Hammerstein’s Olympia from Broadway. Quite an elaborate (and large) building!
Opened November 25, 1895, J. B. McElfatrick & Sons architects.
This was a somewhat different concept in entertainment — one ticket would provide access to the entire building which included a 3,815 sesat Music Hall, a 1,850 seat Theater (later called the criterion), a smaller concert hall, a refreshment area and a block-long glassed-in roof garden. Also planned were a rathskeller, an oriental cafe, a billiard parlor, a bowling alley and a turkish bath, but those were never built. Hammerstein was overly-ambitious in his plans and was bankrupt within a year, losing the Olympia to his creditors. But both he and the Olympia prospered for a number of years afterwards.
I do wonder at those seating figures stated above, given how much smaller the venues were when they were converted later (see above)
Craig Morrison’s “Theatres” Book (A Library of Congress Sourcebook), captions the photo at the top of this page as Hammerstein’s Venetian Terrace (Victoria Roof Garden). Opened June 26, 1899, 1,000 seats, architect J. B. McElfatrick & Sons. The photograph dated from 1901.
Hammerstein, after having lost his Olympia (1514-1526 Broadway), built the Victoria at the southern end of Times Square at 1451-1481 Broadway. The Victoria Roof Garden/Venetian was described as being ornamental and delibertately ramshackle in appearance, and was quite popular for a number of years, patrons being able to catch cool breezes from the hearby Hudson River in this semi-enclosed venue. Immediately behind the Roof Garden was Hammerstein’s Paradise Garden, atop Hammerstein’s adjoining Republic Theatre. It also accommodated 1,000 patrons and was designed by J. B. McElfatrick & Sons. This was an open garden featuring a minterature farm, one of whose denizens was a lasvicious monkey that would list women’s skirts. The photo from the book also shows a tudor-style farmhouse, and an old-style windmill next to the promenade with tables and chairs.
The Strand seated 1,725.
The Jefferson seated 1,300.
Architects: McElfatrick, J. B. & Sons
At one time known as B. F. Keith’s. Opened in 1906.
According to the American Film Review of 1936 the Paramount seated 1,995. It opened in 1930.
Strand was built in 1925. At one time was known as the Criterion. (Ref: THS’s Marquee, 1980, v. 1)
According to THS’s Marquee issue of 1980 (v. 1), the Virginia was built in 1915.
According to Craig Morrison’s book “Theaters”, this was originally built in 1913, Magaziner & Potter architects. Originally the New Nixon Theatre. 2,227 seats, but (according to Marquee, 1980, v. 1), reduced to 1,400 upon conversion to movies in 1926. Had burlesque in 30’s.
According to THS’s Marquee of first quarter 1980,. the Bijou was demolished in 1924.
According to THS’s Marquee edition of 1980, the Capitol opened in 1919.
Seating capacity of the Colonial was 1,256. Probably built in the early 1920s. I remember visiting in mid 80s. The organ grilles and proscenium were covered in modern drapery but the original balcony sidewalls showed, with modestly ornate columns and panels with dark green damask fabric. Building looked like it was built in the early 1920s.
The Star seated 1,073.
According to their web page (link above) the theatre opened in 1929. The style is fairly exotic – More Moorish than Renaissance revival. Loge has table seating but balcony still has theatre seats.
Sorry for the second post – No seating capacity listed but from their webpage photos, it looks like at least 800.
According to their webpage’s history section (link above), the new Grand opened in 1937, and was indeed a replacement for the one destroyed while under construction (the final result was somewhat bigger). Style is a simple, but pleasant and colorful art deco.
Correction to my comment above: seats not all on one level. Stadium seating at back.
Some good photos both interior and exterior at their official web page. Very rustic – outside is like a large fancy barn, with exposed timbers and stucco walls – large single level of seats. But what we can see of the proscenium looks almost art-moderne – very interesting combination. Looks like a great place to see a show!
Status should be changed to Open. Reopened in October 2006!
Their webpage (link above) has a great photo gallery with historic and current photos throughout the interior.
Events calendar shows an interesting and wide-range of events. Comedy nights, broadway touring productions, fund raisers, high school reunions, quitye a few private events. It’s turned into quite a community resource!
According to the 1936 Americal Film review annual, the Plaza had 1,950 seats.
In the 1936 American Film Review annual, the New Center is listed as having 1,400 seats and it was closed at that time.
The American Film review annual for 1936 lists an Ashland theatre at 24th Street & Elmwood, seating 2,000. Wonder how that fits in with the two buildings listed above?
According to the American Film Review for 1936, the Regent had 1,600 seats