It looks like the auditorium part of the building has been demolished from the current Google Street View. Only the front (lobby portion) is still standing, housing the restaurant.
Their website is at https://littlevenicerestaurant.com/
The original decor is all gone, but the new decor is very nice.
The Riviera Theatre is just to the right (north) of the Strand. Both closed now, and not in good shape. Hopefully they both might be restored at some point.
““There was good news about the Loew’s yesterday – and it’s even BETTER than some folks may realize.
As news outlets reported, yesterday the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency conditionally designated the company that owns the Devils and manages the Prudential Center as the commercial operator of the Loew’s. And as part of the plan, more that $70 million dollars will be found to fully restore the Theatre, bring it into full code compliance, and completely upgrade its production capabilities.
But not all the news stories about this made clear one more important part of the plan: Friends of the Loew’s isn’t going anywhere. We will continue doing much of what we do now, still very much part of the Loew’s.
In fact, we’ll be the non-profit arm of the Theatre’s expanded operation. And our most important role is to make sure that as many people as possible continue to have the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from the Loew’s – even if they can’t afford, or don’t want tickets to expensive pop concerts.”
”
Some more links to recent articles about the Uptown Theatre restoration!
Chicago Tribune:
https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/ct-ae-uptown-theatre-artifacts-jones-0127-story.html
Blockclub Chicago article from January 2020:
https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/01/27/uptown-theater-renovation-work-could-begin-this-summer-alderman-says/
Blockclubchicago article from April 2019:
https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/04/12/uptown-theatre-cac-event/
Architecture.org - lots of recent interior pictures here:
https://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/buildings-of-chicago/building/uptown-theatre/
Also, the company handling the restoration is:
Uptown Theatre Foundation, Inc
207 W Goethe St, Chicago, IL 60610
(Haven’t found a webpage for them yet.)
The Uptown was scheduled to enter the final phase of renovation sometime in 2020, with renovations completed and reopening scheduled for 2022.
It was not clear exactly how much renovation has been completed so far, but at least some has.
The project has taken awhile because of delays in securing full funding. A capital campaign had raised $10,000,000 and there were two grants bringing the total to about twelve million.
Good to see that renovation has made considerable progress and that an opening date has been set!
The article Howard Hass reference above has a very extensive high quality photo gallery of the theatre. Article also mentions the theatre was extensively renovated around 1970 when the theatre was bought by the Reverend Ike and concerted into the United Palace Church.
The foundation work for the tower in front of the auditorium is finished and the “core components” of the tower have been rising, by June, they would be above the level of the auditorium — it looks like construction is well underway!
This photo is actually for the BF Keith Memorial Theater – a couple blocks south on the other (west) side of Washington Street (later known as the Savoy and now the Opera House)
Here’s a link to the developer’s website about the theatre – lots of info and renderings.
https://www.timessquaretheater42.com/
Some details of the project from the linked article. Looks like major construction to start fall 2020 with the building opening in 2021.
The decorative plaster elements would be cut into pieces and stored in a warehouse temporarily until it undergoes a restoration process.
While the historical elements are being restored, the developers will be cutting out the façade of the building and hydraulically jacking it up. The process will make room for the third and fourth floors, while also letting SDI create a 23-foot-tall glass enclosure on the second floor that cantilevers over 42nd Street to allow visitors to feel like they’re floating above the streets of Times Square.
Once completed, a spiral staircase will lead visitors up to the third and fourth floors, that feature the historic dome directly above the staircase and the proscenium arch that acts as a gateway to the event space that is fit for a restaurant or food hall, Boyajian said.
“All these elements will come back and be fully restored and placed up there as a reminder to the historic nature of this place,” Boyajian said.
The new five-floor 50,000 s/f space will feature more than 100 feet of retail frontage on 42nd Street, a rooftop space with room for a food/beverage or entertainment tenant, and LED billboards.
Boyajian said he expects the restoration and façade lifting to go from summer to fall and the demolition and excavation to start in 2020 for an early 2021 completion. Colliers International will be in charge of leasing the space.
The city officially announced the restoration, the state allocated $10,000,000 and they are looking to the city to alloocate another $13,000,000, and this will combine to get the project rolling. As they said, still some heavy lifting to do.
It looks like the auditorium part of the building has been demolished from the current Google Street View. Only the front (lobby portion) is still standing, housing the restaurant.
Their website is at https://littlevenicerestaurant.com/
The original decor is all gone, but the new decor is very nice.
The Riviera Theatre is just to the right (north) of the Strand. Both closed now, and not in good shape. Hopefully they both might be restored at some point.
Still there in 2021. The site of the adjacent Lyric Theatre is no longer a parking lot; there is a new commercial building there.
New official link at:
https://broomearenaforum.com/
From here you can also link to their facebook page and a virtual tour.
According to the Google Street View, the Strand appears to have been demolished. No buildings along the street that resemble a theatre.
Looks like the Majestic is open, according to their Facebook Page.
https://www.facebook.com/conwaymajestic/
the current (2019) Google street view shows the theatre still msitting there closed.
Checked Google Maps. The current (2019) photo shows that it is still open, showing movies.
The upcoming restoration calls for the theatre to close some time in 2022 for an 18-month renovation and restoration.
Great news February 23, 2021 on the redevelopment of the Jersey Theatre!
Looks like FOL got the best of both worlds with this one - a viable full renovation and FOL will still play a major role in programming.
Full Announcement at Friends of the Loew’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/landmarkloewsjersey/
Feature article at Jersey City Times:
https://jcitytimes.com/loews-to-get-renovation-and-national-acts/
Brief summary:
““There was good news about the Loew’s yesterday – and it’s even BETTER than some folks may realize. As news outlets reported, yesterday the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency conditionally designated the company that owns the Devils and manages the Prudential Center as the commercial operator of the Loew’s. And as part of the plan, more that $70 million dollars will be found to fully restore the Theatre, bring it into full code compliance, and completely upgrade its production capabilities. But not all the news stories about this made clear one more important part of the plan: Friends of the Loew’s isn’t going anywhere. We will continue doing much of what we do now, still very much part of the Loew’s. In fact, we’ll be the non-profit arm of the Theatre’s expanded operation. And our most important role is to make sure that as many people as possible continue to have the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from the Loew’s – even if they can’t afford, or don’t want tickets to expensive pop concerts.” ”
Corrected link to the 2017 article about possible renovation
https://la.curbed.com/2017/11/16/16666250/reseda-theater-renovation-laemmle
Corrected link to the official website:
http://www.conwaymajestic.com/
Some more links to recent articles about the Uptown Theatre restoration!
Chicago Tribune: https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/ct-ae-uptown-theatre-artifacts-jones-0127-story.html
Blockclub Chicago article from January 2020: https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/01/27/uptown-theater-renovation-work-could-begin-this-summer-alderman-says/
Blockclubchicago article from April 2019: https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/04/12/uptown-theatre-cac-event/
Architecture.org - lots of recent interior pictures here: https://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/buildings-of-chicago/building/uptown-theatre/
Also, the company handling the restoration is:
Uptown Theatre Foundation, Inc 207 W Goethe St, Chicago, IL 60610 (Haven’t found a webpage for them yet.)
The renovated theatre looks beautiful!
Good photo of the auditorium from stage at the official website (scroll down for the photo): https://themetphilly.com/info/
Some nice photos in very late stages of renovation at curbed.com:
https://philly.curbed.com/2018/12/4/18125587/met-philly-reopens-new-look-art-deco-style
Their official website: https://themetphilly.com/
Another update - their Fall 2020 newsletter. Construction continues, on many fronts including lobby tower, stagehouse infrastructure and more.
https://app.yearly.report/preview/?rid=-MK0E51JPFy_kz7d8PPj&uid=bFiVrfkv8fZNMtapVtY0Kbr6zkp1
More updates!
MIFA newsletter, February 2020: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Behind-The-Scenes.html?soid=1102402751736&aid=sL7SIC4mW_s
Purchase of 134 Chestnut Street in December 2019, adjacent to stage house - to be used for support space:
https://mifafestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Victory-Theatre-Update-Dec2019.pdf
Link to January 2020 article with some updates!
The Uptown was scheduled to enter the final phase of renovation sometime in 2020, with renovations completed and reopening scheduled for 2022.
It was not clear exactly how much renovation has been completed so far, but at least some has.
The project has taken awhile because of delays in securing full funding. A capital campaign had raised $10,000,000 and there were two grants bringing the total to about twelve million.
Good to see that renovation has made considerable progress and that an opening date has been set!
The article Howard Hass reference above has a very extensive high quality photo gallery of the theatre. Article also mentions the theatre was extensively renovated around 1970 when the theatre was bought by the Reverend Ike and concerted into the United Palace Church.
The article can be found at:
https://www.6sqft.com/behind-the-scenes-at-the-united-palace-theatre-washington-heights-opulent-wonder-theatre/
Open as the Louis N. Jaffe theatre in 1925-1926.
There’s a great article with a photo gallery at:
https://www.6sqft.com/the-urban-lens-inside-the-village-east-cinema-one-of-nys-last-surviving-yiddish-rialto-theaters/
The very ornate ceiling is quite amazing and unique!
According to the Spring 2020 newsletter:
(https://carolinatheatreclt.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Spring-2020-newsletter.pdf)
The foundation work for the tower in front of the auditorium is finished and the “core components” of the tower have been rising, by June, they would be above the level of the auditorium — it looks like construction is well underway!
This photo is actually for the BF Keith Memorial Theater – a couple blocks south on the other (west) side of Washington Street (later known as the Savoy and now the Opera House)
I’m delighted to see that my comment from 2014 is incorrect and the theatre is still standing and will be renovated!
Here are some links to good detailed articles:
Official “Olympia Music Hall” website:
https://www.olympiamusichall.com/
Details of their plan :(You can download the full plan here):
https://www.olympiamusichall.com/about
Extensive article:
https://www.masslive.com/worcester/2019/05/worcesters-olympia-theater-reborn-live-music-venue-planned-for-long-closed-historic-theater.html
Extensive photo gallery:
https://www.masslive.com/news/worcester/2018/06/a_1300-seat_abandoned_theater.html
June 2019 Article in Worcester Telegram:
https://www.telegram.com/news/20190602/music-may-return-to-129-year-old-olympia-theater
Here’s a link to the developer’s website about the theatre – lots of info and renderings.
https://www.timessquaretheater42.com/
Some details of the project from the linked article. Looks like major construction to start fall 2020 with the building opening in 2021.
The decorative plaster elements would be cut into pieces and stored in a warehouse temporarily until it undergoes a restoration process.
While the historical elements are being restored, the developers will be cutting out the façade of the building and hydraulically jacking it up. The process will make room for the third and fourth floors, while also letting SDI create a 23-foot-tall glass enclosure on the second floor that cantilevers over 42nd Street to allow visitors to feel like they’re floating above the streets of Times Square.
Once completed, a spiral staircase will lead visitors up to the third and fourth floors, that feature the historic dome directly above the staircase and the proscenium arch that acts as a gateway to the event space that is fit for a restaurant or food hall, Boyajian said.
“All these elements will come back and be fully restored and placed up there as a reminder to the historic nature of this place,” Boyajian said.
The new five-floor 50,000 s/f space will feature more than 100 feet of retail frontage on 42nd Street, a rooftop space with room for a food/beverage or entertainment tenant, and LED billboards.
Boyajian said he expects the restoration and façade lifting to go from summer to fall and the demolition and excavation to start in 2020 for an early 2021 completion. Colliers International will be in charge of leasing the space.
Latest from the Alderman James Cappleman’s website on June 29th:
https://www.james46.org/restoring-the-uptown-theatre/
The city officially announced the restoration, the state allocated $10,000,000 and they are looking to the city to alloocate another $13,000,000, and this will combine to get the project rolling. As they said, still some heavy lifting to do.
The google photos in 2019 show the building still standing, but appears vacant (although in good shape)