Embassy 1,2,3 Theatre
707 7th Avenue,
New York,
NY
10036
707 7th Avenue,
New York,
NY
10036
39 people
favorited this theater
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It seems like a distinctive possibility an electronics store might be moving into the former DeMille/Embassy, as well as the gutted retail space located next door to the left. According to an item in Steve Cuozzo’s Realty Check column in yesterday’s NY Post, sources in the Times Square area have identified Hersel Torkian, who has operated electronics stores and currently owns several properties in the area, as the leasee. (The Post piece does misidentify the DeMille/Embassy space as having been vacant for seven years; the theatre actually closed in late 1998.) Torkian did not return a call to the Post to confirm his status as the leasee – or, presumably as well, his plans for the space(s).
I think Warren posted some shots of the theatre, some time ago that showed the balcony ceiling and afew other shots of the original theatre.
Regarding Bob’s post of September 13, I hope there’s photos somewhere of the 1930’s era ceiling light fixtures and the original colors of the column!
Thanks, Warren. That was a very fitting tribute to Mr. DeMille, who died earlier that year on January 21st. I sure would’ve loved to have seen “Spartacus” in there …
Aarrgh…
Back in June when demolition had just started, I walked through the entire building up to the projection booth. It had been triplexed with the balcony converted into 2 small theaters. The original booth still projected onto the main screen through a tunnel between the 2 balcony theaters.
There is still a lot of original ornamentation, but everything on the ceiling and proscenium is painted black. Quite surprisingly, there was one intact and un-touched column on the right side of the orchestra level with the original colors, and it was quite ornate. They appear to be gutting the building to the bare walls, so I don’t know if that still survives.
The projection booth is quite high, about 5 levels up from the lobby. The theater originally had a lounge on the balcony level, and a smaller one on the upper balcony. The booth is one level up from there. There is no equipment, but the room was fairly large running the entire width of the building. There is a large bathroom with two windows looking out onto 7th Avenue, and the booth has more windows with that similar view.
There were quite a few small rooms near the lounge areas that I couldn’t see because the lights weren’t working. In the main areas where the workers are cleaning debris, they have strung work lights so it’s pretty bright in there.
There was an interesting space that had been closed off directly above the lobby. You could walk around the top and see the people below as they entered the lobby. This space still had 3 or 4 very cool 30’s-era light fixtures hanging from the ceiling, and there were working bulbs in it.
I’m sorry to say that I didn’t have a camera. But while nobody bothered me as I walked around, they might have said something if I was taking pictures.
It is a rather sad end to what had once been a very grand theater.
They were jack hammering around inside of the tourist store just to the left of the theatre’s front opening yesterday. More gutting to follow.
This really is the end of an ear. And that balcony was so very, very steep.
Again, it is sad that the Mayfair is being gutted. However, the efforts by many of you will not be wasted. Many thanks to Brucec for his above 8-6-04 list of movie palaces saved in downtowns of cities all over the US, and for his comments on Philadelphia’s Boyd Theatre page /theaters/1209/ I used his wonderful list in my Weekly Update email www.FriendsOfTheBoyd.org this past week, to illustrate how almost every American city has saved at least one downtown movie palace! the Boyd is downtown Philadelphia’s sole surviving movie palace, and needs to be saved, restored, and reopened.
Did any newspaper bother to print that the last surviving Times Square theater is no more? I guess everyone has forgotten about it……..SAD.
Edward, when I worked in this beautiful theater it was the “Loews Mayfair,” and was like a thing alive, teaming with people and a dedicated staff. A nightmare I once had of returning one day to the theater to see it empty and reduced to four walls and a gutted interior has become a reality. It’s sad indeed but at least there are pictures available showing how it was, together with its history thanks to Warren and the many theater buffs contributing to this web site.
It would be really great for those of us who either no longer live in New York City or have never had the chance to visit this once-great theatre to see some pictures of what is currently happening. Thank you very much in advance.
“I wonder what they are doing with the decor? City dump?"
Speaking of which…anybody remember the huge vertical "Spartacus” sign that hung there during that film’s run at the then-DeMille?. I recall seeing it later in a dump alongside the West Side Highway.
Lovely. I wonder what they are doing with the decor? City dump?
Looks like only the 3rd & 9th floors are availible for office space at $30.00 sq. foot.
They are still banging away and carting off the decor as of today.
And as a added bonus they have put a new banner over both sides of the marquee. That reads:
THIS THEATER LEASED BY WALTER & SAMUELS, INC.
David I. Berley WS Jud Eberson
Chairman Vice Chairman
419 Park Avenue, South, NYC 10016
www.walter-samuels.com
When was it not about the money? I seem to have missed that era.
All the Good ones got away. It’s all about the money now. Large single screen theatres find it very hard to make money going up againist the multi screen complexes.
Those upstairs theaters were horrible! First time I’d ever seen pics of those. What a sad state of affairs. Farewell, the Demille! :((((( None of the rich moneybags in the city were willing to save you…….Sad that such a big city has no Times Sq. movie house…(as a single unit and decent size)
PICTURES!
Well there chipping away at more of the auditorium decor when I walked by at 7:30am today.
I strolled in there a few years back and the place was in stunning shape. I read on here its been well looked after and renovated again since i was there. Guys if youre in th e area dont walk past. Theres no body to stop you takeing a look. I wish i couldopen the PhotoBucket files for all those photos
The Times Square Church has taken Great care of the theatre. I lived next door to the church for the last 6 ½ years. It won’t be $17 million dollars anymore. The theatre is in Great shape. Nederlander made a big mistake in selling the house back then.
Thanks, William, I didn’t realize the building had been sold fifteen years ago.
Can we start a fund right here and buy the bloody thing back!!!!!