Kings Theatre
1027 Flatbush Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11226
1027 Flatbush Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11226
86 people
favorited this theater
Showing 651 - 675 of 1,564 comments
LuisV
Have you ever toured a ‘former’ theater? While driving in the older neighborhoods, look to the roof line and you’ll see what used to be a movie/vaudeville house. Today it might be a supermarket or
it might be a Rite Aid or it might be an alternative high school. However, if you can talk your way behind the frozen food or the vegetable bins, you will find remnants of theater architecture. One time in Brooklyn, I found the long forgotten ‘RKO Prospect’. My father was a musician and actually played vaudeville here. I went behind the frozen food and up a steel ladder. When I exited onto a
second floor, I found myself in the men’s room of the theater. Actually, I climbed through a sky- light. I know that sounds funny, but yes there was a skylight where you exited (not to the roof) but into the mezzanine bathroom. Upstairs I found the ornate theater walls and what I would call the stadium seating. The seats were gone, but the concrete ‘steps’ design proved that each was 18" higher than the one below. Thus providing that every seat was a good seat. Multiplex theater operators claim that this is a brand new innovation but it was around way back in the 1920’s when the RKO Prospect was built.
Warren,
According to the actual certificate of occupancy, the exact number was 3,692. However in the 60’s the number was reduced to 3,192. As you said, most of the seating is on the orchestra floor and
the mezzanine/balcony only contains 899.
At the two sides of each aisle of seats are magnificent iron ‘standards’—but only upstairs. For the
orchestra, the decorative design team used flat wooden panels.
One of the things that I find most interesting, aside from this being a cathedral of the ornate is the
air cooling system in the basement. Over the years it was updated, but much of the original stuff
is still there! They had two giant tanks that filled with water (from an underground contributory of the Connecticut River.) Then there is a plenum chamber with an air-lock type door similar to what
you might find in a submarine. Then inside the chamber we have a giant (12 foot high) fan and a labyrinth of pierced piping on the ceiling. This allowed for the water to be pumped through those pipes and create a shower into the room. Now, we had a cylinder filled with CO2. (This was the forerunner of FREON. So the cold CO2 mixed with the water shower and the giant fan to create a steady stream of cold air that was then pumped through an elaborate maze of vents throughout
the theater.
Some years ago I checked with the Smithsonian and was told that such a system is rare today but could also be found in vintage buildings around the country and mansions for the very rich.
On the wall of the chamber can be found a certificate from the York Air Cooling Company. They
were the forerunner of York Air Conditioning.
I forgot to mention in my earlier post that I would consider the Kings (even in its current decayed state) among the top 5 most beautiful movie palaces remaining in NYC. Fully restored, I think it would move into the top 3!
Bruce1…my sentiments exactly. A big tax credit coupled with some seed money (from Marty Markowitz’s earmark budget) to at least fully restore the marquee for example. I agree that the actual restoration work could take years under a similar setup that The Loews Jersey has in place. Though I live in Manhattan, I would gladly do volunteer work to help the Kings get back on its feet.
I’m glad that you think that the Kings is the most beautiful theater still standing in New York. My personal vote would be The New Amsterdam, followed by The Hollywood and Radio City. I have not yet had the opportnity to see the restored jewels of The Paradise in The Bronx and Loews 175th St. in Washington Heights, but from the photos that I’ve seen they would be top contenders as well. I will be atteding a show at The St. George in Staten Island this weekend and, from what I hear, they’ve done an incredible restoration with this theater. The Valencia, in Jamaica, has had its interior repainted in garish colors, though the theater itself is spectacular. Have I missed any other major candidates for best movie palace still standing?
Like the Uptown in Chicago the City needs to spend some money to get the Kings operational with some cosmetic work and then more companies would be interested. The city should offer a huge tax credit to any investor willing to take the Kings. The Kings is the most beautiful theatre I have seen still standing in NYC. If I were the city I would restore the theatre facade and marquee for curb appeal and stabalize the interior and do some cosmetic work to get the theatre back on its feet. Full restoration could be done at a later time and over a period of years. I look at the volunteer work that is done at the Loew’s Jersey as the theatre is being restored in stages over a period of years as an example. Every theatre restoration takes a different path but there are many examples out there. The huge Fox in Oakland sat empty for nearly 40 years and now is being restored with a charter school wrapping around the theatre. It took ex mayor Jerry Brown to get the ball rolling. The theare will reopen next year as a theatre for rock concerts a market that is exploding and looking for theatres seating between 2000 to 6000 seats. Most musical acts today can’t fill arena’s seating 18,000 such as Madison Square Garden. Brooklyn is five times larger than the City of Oakland which will have two huge restored movie palaces seating over 3000 the Paramount and Fox-Oakland. I realize that Brooklyn has Manhattan for competition but Oakland has San Francisco. Im sure the Kings would qualify for State and Federal grants being located in a depressed area of Brooklyn.brucec
LuisV,
During the administration of Borough President Howard Golden, a new roof was installed. What
fell was a small roof above the old headquarters of the Flatbush Development Corporation. It's
now an empty lot—the roof collapsed and the city leveled the two store fronts. However, to my
knowledge, no further damage has resulted over the theater itself.
I would think that the city and the Borough would and should be working on putting together a
subsidy that would encourage a developer to take on the project. However, since none of us are
privy to such information, we shouldn’t necessarily think that this is not a work in progress.
One thing is for sure and that is no developer or theater operator will create a NEW theater with
the architectural elements and acoustics of the Loew’s Kings.
Just because it was EDC’s job to find a qualified developer, that does not mean that WE can’t
make contact with a developer and convince them of the economic feasibility of this project.
LuisV,
During the administration of Borough President Howard Golden, a new roof was installed. What
fell was a small roof above the old headquarters of the Flatbush Development Corporation. It's
now an empty lot—the roof collapsed and the city leveled the two store fronts. However, to my
knowledge, no further damage has resulted over the theater itself.
I would think that the city and the Borough would and should be working on putting together a
subsidy that would encourage a developer to take on the project. However, since none of us are
privy to such information, we shouldn’t necessarily think that this is not a work in progress.
One thing is for sure and that is no developer or theater operator will create a NEW theater with
the architectural elements and acoustics of the Loew’s Kings.
Just because it was EDC’s job to find a qualified developer, that does not mean that WE can’t
make contact with a developer and convince them of the economic feasibility of this project.
TonyM…It was incredibly beautiful even in its decayed state. If you scroll up above to the comments from October/November of ‘06 you’ll find my post of the my experience on the tour. This theater is in way better shape than the New Amsterdam was at its nadir.
Again LuisV is right on the money, no pun intended. If there was some seed money to get the roof fixed to prevent further damage that would be a start. It may not be the same as committing 35 million dollars for a total renovation but it would show others that there is interest. I can only imagine what people must have thought when they saw the building last year. It does look like the EDC is just looking for someone to take The Kings off their hands.
Bruce1, with all due respect, I was present at The Kings developer site tour when Markowitz regaled us with his memories of The Kings and how he vowed he would make this project happen! As I mentioned in an earlier post, all Borough Presidents have discretionary funds to apply to pet projects in their districts. Why has he not applied a significant sum to The Kings if he truly wants this project to happen. It WAS the EDC’s job to find a developer. They are the ones with the contacts and the access to all of the info that a developer would need to put a proposal together. We do not have those resources at our disposal. The fact that they were unable to broker a deal speaks volumes.
This means one thing and one thing only. The Borough, the City and maybe even Bloomberg himself have got to put together a financial subsidy signifcant enough to make this project financially feasible. This is what was done for The New Amsterdam and that is when Disney pulled the trigger. On the city’s part, it was money very well spent.
Markowitz must do more!
Maybe I am too much of an optimist? Maybe from the indications I have seen, I still believe that Marty Markowitz is sincere and is doing everything possible!
As much as I respect the opinions of those who seem ‘angry’ at the lack of progress, I would ask
those individuals to help find a developer or theater operator who sees the potential. Writing on
this message board is only a first step. Let’s see how much you are willing to DO! Why not make
contact with Markowitz? Why not contact EDC? Why not help to find a developer? Complaining
is not enough!
Look at NJPAC – it’s located in downtown Newark (hardly a bastion of culture or “high society”, and a very intimidating locale)… but its continued and proven success in attracting an upscale “element†of outsiders, willing to travel and seek out quality entertainment, has no doubt paved the way for further development, including venues such as the 300-million-plus-dollar Prudential Center arena. Developers will flock to impoverished areas with high-cost projects (which always pose a risk) if they are offered the right incentives and are able to see the potential payoff to their risk.
If the NYC’s EDC were able (or willing) to take a leadership role by sponsoring or helping to organize a non-profit entity to begin project planning, restoration and redevelopment work on this theatre (and the surrounding area) as a major arts & entertainment center or “destinationâ€, I am sure that they would be able to attract and secure the grants and/or investors crucial to this endeavor.
I agree with LuisV. Many successful theater or PAC’s are in less than stellar neighborhoods. If you build it, they will come certainly would apply in this case. The restoration of the theater could be the starting point of a neighborhood renaissance. When others see that money is being spent, that will encourage more people to take a chance.
I’m very saddened by the article in The News this morning. I do fault Markowitz. He said on MANY ocassions that he would get the restoration off the ground. Each Borough President has a budget to “earmark” projects within their jurisdictions. If there ever was a project that Markowitz should fund, it is the restoration of The Kings. He keeps talking about how passionate he is to this project. let him put his money where his mouth is! Yes, it is going to cost a lot of money. The Borough and City will have to subsidize its development just as they did for The Amsterdam theater on 42nd St. in Manhattan.
People forget that the New Amsterdam’s restoration on 42nd St. was heavily subsidized by the city as well. 42nd was a desolate cesspool in the early 90’s and there was no guarantee that this project would be a financial success. Today, it is (in my opinion) the single most beautiful theater in New York. A fully restored Kings would easily be in the top three.
There are many worthy projects in New York, but the Kings should be on the top of the list for both Brooklyn and Manhattan. It truly is one of New York’s architectural jewels and the only one of the five Wonder Theaters that has not been restored. Many might argue that the Kings was the best of them all, which makes its current state all the more trajic.
I also don’t buy the argument that because the neighborhood around the Kings is “lower middle class” that any project wouldn’t be viable. If you create a class project the people will come. The Jersey is in Journal Square for god’s sake; hardly a high end nabe. The Paradise is in the Bronx; the newly restored St. George on Staten Island is in the gentrifying (I’m being kind) neighborhood of Stapleton and that theater is doing great!
Brooklyn has almost 2.5MM people. Surely, it can support a preformang arts center that would complement the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the forthcoming Barclay Center. There is ample room for all three.
Go online for the nydailynews.com and search for Loew’s Kings. There is an article today that does not present much hope for the future of this fabled movie/vaudeville palace. However, please note
that, in my opinion, Marty Markowitz has tried and continues to try very hard to move the project forward. However, NYC Economic Development Corporation has already missed two deadlines for
their feasibility and cost studies. When Marty says, he doesn’t think the theater will reopen by the
time he leaves office in 2009—-we should understand that it could take at least two years for the
work to be done—before any opening date.
Bruce1
It would be a pleasure to see this theater actually brought back to life as it once was in its glory years.
I’m not faulting Markowitz, the city certainly has limited resources. I was wondering what could be done on the federal level. They spend millions of dollars on studying the sleeping habits of rare breeds of birds so why not put some money into something that would truly benefit many (people that is.) Maybe if they had done that in the beginning instead of waiting for the white knight things wouldn’t be so grave.
The neighborhood is still a lower middle-class area. Folks from the wealthier neighborhoods west of Ocean Avenue aren’t in the habit of shopping on Flatbush Avenue. Markowitz can’t be faulted. He can’t invent interest in the theater. The statement by Kevin Robinette, the Ohio architect says alot – “We felt that it was too much of a long shot.” How much more money can NYC be expected to pump into the building just to keep it from literally falling apart?
“But 13 months later, officials said they can’t discuss how many responses they got and what was proposed.” Sad to say, it sounds like very few were interested.
You know I hate to say this but I think the main stumbling block here is the city. Its a shame that they took ownership of the place . I know much has been said about what we don’t want the place to become but a performance type TV studio (programming requiring an audience)isn’t such a bad idea or it could certainly be used as a movie location. The city is looking for someone who can come it with buckets of money and rehab the place. That kind of money just doesn’t come in for a performing arts center. We hear all of these stories in the press about the incredible amount of pork barrel spending our elected officials get for their areas. How about Marty petitioning local politicians for a couple of million (not much if you look at the amounts some groups get) the Kings way to fix the roof to prevent further damage and the lighting. Then let volunteers deal with the rest. Tall order? Sure but it is better than nothing. Look at the Loew’s Jersey. I know that building was in much better shape to start with but at least they are giving it a go. Does this sound like something that could heppen……Marty are you listening??????
Here is the URL for the online version of that article: View link
“Famed Loews Kings Movie Palace Remains Shut Despite Effortsâ€
by Elizabeth Hays, Daily News Staff Writer.
Tuesday, December 4th, 2007, 4:00 a.m. (New York)
The Loews Kings movie palace on Flatbush Ave. may not be opening its doors anytime soon.
More than a year after city officials launched another round of proposals to reopen the grandiose theater – one of the city’s five original “Wonder Theaters” – there is still no word on what will happen.
Meanwhile, Borough President Marty Markowitz, who has made reopening the Art Deco gem a pet project during his time in office, acknowledged that the theater will likely not be renovated before he steps down in 2009.
“That’s becoming increasingly unlikely,” said Markowitz spokesman Mark Zustovich.
The latest push to reopen the fabled theater, which has been closed for 30 years, began last fall when city officials gave developers a tour of the 3,000-seat auditorium, which is outfitted with chandeliers and mahogany paneling, and asked for proposals for turning it into a performing arts space.
But 13 months later, officials said they can’t discuss how many responses they got and what was proposed.
They also insisted they now have to study how much it would cost to renovate the 78-year-old theater – which has been damaged by years of neglect, water damage and vandalism – and analyze what kinds of programs would work there.
“We’re taking time to make sure that we have the information we need to inform our next steps,” said NYC Economic Development Corp. spokeswoman Janel Patterson, adding the group hopes to have the studies done by the end of the year.
The sluggish pace has sparked worry among locals, who fear the project could fizzle again, as it did in 1999 when a multiplex plan submitted by Magic Johnson suddenly fell through.
“There have been so many stories, so many people interested and nothing has happened,” said Jack Katz, head of the Flatbush Avenue Business Improvement District.
Experts said the project is difficult – and expensive.
“It’s risky and it’s not cheap,” said Eric Greenfield, a broker for Massey Knakal who specializes in Flatbush. “Right now that part of Flatbush won’t be able to sustain something like that.”
Kevin Robinette, a prominent architect from Ohio who went on the tour last fall, said his firm decided to walk away. “We felt that it was too much of a long shot,” said Robinette.
In the meantime, local merchants and residents said they are sick of seeing so much potential go to waste. “It’s lovely. They need to do something with it,” said Mamadou Bah, a vendor across the street. “They need to stop wasting time.”
Very disapointing article about the “Kings” in today’s NY Daily News. Marty admits that probably he will be out of office by the time any renovation work is started if any.
Well, he better hurry up ! He’s only got a couple more years in office, and time is gonna do more damage ! Meanwhile, kids jam the St. George to see “Peter Pan” live, Tony Bennett & Connie Francis will do concerts there, and Farley Granger appears onstage at the Loew’s Jersey ! Brooklyn don’t need no damn basketball stadium at the busiest traffic intersection !!! Cate Blanchett & Lynn Redgrave came to Brooklyn because the Majestic was restored, so wake the hell up, Brooklyn !!!
To: Brucec
From: Bruce1
re: The Loew’s Kings
You talk about ‘seed money’ to prevent any further damage to the Loew’s Kings. As you may know, the former Borough President, Howard Golden spent the money for a new roof and pointing of the bricks. Also, EDC (Economic Development Corporatin) shored up the terracotta facade with steel bracing and removed the vertical marquee which was in danger of falling.
As far as the current Brooklyn Borough President, he is not only determined but enthusiastic about saving the Loew’s Kings and seeing it reopened as a Center for the Performing Arts.
Come on Brooklyn get your act together. Of the five Loew’s Wonder Theatres the Loew’s Kings the greatest of them all has yet to make any progress. Loew’s Valencia which is in good shape is a Church in Queens, Loew’s Paradise in the Bronx has been restored and is being used for concerts, Loew’s Jersey is slowly being restored as a home of classic film and concerts,Loew’s 175th Street in Manhattan is a church and is fast becoming one of the cities hottest concert halls and then Loew’s Kings in the Brooklyn just sits there.Brooklyn has a very large population and is making a comeback commercially and has very few active theatres. I think Brooklyn should spend some seed money and stabilize this theatre so it doesn’t decline any further. Maybe Brooklyn should restore a section of the theatre to show people what it could look like restored. I have said this before the Kings is one of the most beautiful theatres I have ever seen and I have seen many.brucec
And yet, Staten Island has the St. George, and Jersey City has the Loew’s Jersey ! Disgraceful !
Meanwhile, Markowitz sucks up to that homophobe Noach Dear, and runs around to strret fairs stuffing his FACE !