I have a good source that the space has been taken for a church. If so, it is likely that the walls are being removed to function as such. This may not be bad news after all. I will check my source again.
It’s time to change the status of this theater to RENOVATING! WooHoo! For all the naysayers that said this would never happen and that it wasn’t happening, here is bonafide proof that it IS happening and there is a lot of work underway! The photo Gallery in the link below is very impressive indeed. Grand Opening of the Loew’s Kings will be towards the end on 2014! :–)
The United Palace getting a lot of press today in the Wall Street Journal, Curbed and The Real Deal as the prepare to return this grandest of palaces to showing films once again! So Excited!
Free tours of the Valencia are being offered by the church on Saturday, September 21st by appointment only. More info here: http://www.scoutingny.com/?p=6862
The Bronx Opera House Hotel is Now Open! It is the first luxury hotel to open in the borough and it is astounding that it has opened in the South Bronx, a neighborhood that epitomized all that was wrong with urban America in the 70’s and 80’s. The city of New York has truly blossomed and all the boroughs are enjoying an incredible renaissance.
Please have some patience. There is lots of work happening inside. The renderings clearly show that the outside will be upgraded as well. This is a multi year project. Everything doesn’t happen at once.
It’s a travesty that it lost its spectacular marquee for the spartan utilitarian one it sports in the into photo. I wonder if the interior is just as disappointing?
I don’t believe that all old theaters can be saved. At the end of the day they must be able to pay for themselves if not in the renvation phase, certainly in the operating phase. That said, I never lost hope on the Kings and that will be one of the biggest success stories. I am also hopeful on the Brooklyn Paramount being eventually brought back to a full performing arts space and Chicago’s Uptown. I am NOT optimistic on the RKO Ketihs Flushing. Alas, we can’t win them all. Speaking of which, check out the page for the United Palace (Loews 175th Street). They have a campaign to bring movies back and they are more than halfway to their goal of $40,000. I just contributed myself! Finally! A real palace that will have regularly scheduled films in Manhattan!
I am an eternal optimist. Now that Coney Island’s future is brighter than it has been in decades it is possible that this actually bodes well for a restoration of this historic theater.
But that’s irrelevant. The New Amsterdam is still a Palace! The Hollywood is a palace! Radio City a palace! and others. Just because they weren’t built for full time presentation of films doesn’t lessen their beauty and their historical importance as Movie Palaces. For me, a theater is a theater, whether it was made exclusively for films or not and I make no real distinction between the two, but I understand that this site is called “Cinema Treasures” and not “Theater Treasures” so the theaters on this site must have had cinema at one time to be included. The criteria is not that the theater has been purpose built for cinema only. That said a great many live theaters have been included as many did show films at one point during their long career.
I think we can both be right. It’s quite possible that it was designed for live theater/events and as the construction progressed and the deepening depression wore on, the decision was made to add movie capability thereby enabling them to do the quick switch when their worst fears were realized.
Oh, and thanks Tinseltoes for the backup. :–) Radio City was built for live theater and events, but quickly realized it wouldn’t work thereby becoming one of the greatest palaces ever to have existed!
The Mark Hellinger would never have been in danger. It would be very successful as a venue for live theater and I hope the church eventually cashes out so they can use the funds “to help the poor”. Yes, they have taken great care of the theater. It’s beautiful, but it should be used as a theater once again and, yes, live theater counts. :–)
Many churches have been wonderful stewards of old theaters; others have not. Certainly in the case of theaters like Loew’s 175th Street (United Palace), the Stanley (Jersey City), Loew’s Valencia and Loew’s Metropolitan, churches have saved and preserved the theaters that might otherwise have been lost, but other churches have gutted theaters or severely damaged them. The church that purchased the Mark Hellinger theater in Manhattan has taken a stunning movie palace and removed it from the Broadway Live Theater scene. Though they have taken wonderful care of the theater I wish they would sell it back so it can be returned to its legitimate use as a home for the Broadway Stage.
BIG NEWS! There is a campaign under way to buy a projector for this theater and bring regularly scheduled films back to this theater for the first time in more than 40 years. I’m giving $100! Please consider donating and watch the great clip below! This theater is already restored and already has a screen. All that is missing is the projector! http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/return-film-to-the-united-palace
The Henry Miller Theater was also the home of one of New York’s most celebrated Disco’s “Xenon” from 1978 to 1984. Later it was the home to another popular Disco called “Shout”. Xenon was the only club to rival Studio 54 which was also housed in an old theater, the Gallo Opera House on 54th Street. Other celebrated theater Discos were Palladium (Academy of Music) on 14th Street, The Saint (Loew’s Commodore) on 2nd Avenue/6th Street, Club USA (The Forum) Broadway & 49th. They were all incredible structures and all but Studio 54 have been lost.
Drove by this theater on my way to Telluride! It looked like it was in good shape based on its exterior but couldn’t tell if it was still operating as a cafe and/or concert venue.
Amen Bway! I’m an atheist so i don’t like churches but I don’t deny that they have saved a great many palaces; some better than others. Not all churches do a great job. Many have butchered the palaces they took over but I believe the majority have benefitted from their divine users. I wish them well.
Film returns to the 175th Street Theatre! Sunday, November 17th at 6:00 PM with Casablanca on the bill! I will be there!
http://unitedpalace.org/index.php/events/345-celebrate-the-return-of-film-to-the-palace-with-casablanca
I’m trying to get confirmation from my contact. Will report back as soon as I hear.
I have a good source that the space has been taken for a church. If so, it is likely that the walls are being removed to function as such. This may not be bad news after all. I will check my source again.
It’s time to change the status of this theater to RENOVATING! WooHoo! For all the naysayers that said this would never happen and that it wasn’t happening, here is bonafide proof that it IS happening and there is a lot of work underway! The photo Gallery in the link below is very impressive indeed. Grand Opening of the Loew’s Kings will be towards the end on 2014! :–)
The United Palace getting a lot of press today in the Wall Street Journal, Curbed and The Real Deal as the prepare to return this grandest of palaces to showing films once again! So Excited!
http://therealdeal.com/blog/2013/08/22/ex-movie-palace-in-washington-heights-to-restore-screen/
Free tours of the Valencia are being offered by the church on Saturday, September 21st by appointment only. More info here: http://www.scoutingny.com/?p=6862
The Bronx Opera House Hotel is Now Open! It is the first luxury hotel to open in the borough and it is astounding that it has opened in the South Bronx, a neighborhood that epitomized all that was wrong with urban America in the 70’s and 80’s. The city of New York has truly blossomed and all the boroughs are enjoying an incredible renaissance.
http://therealdeal.com/blog/2013/08/19/bronxs-first-boutique-hotel-opens-its-doors/
Please have some patience. There is lots of work happening inside. The renderings clearly show that the outside will be upgraded as well. This is a multi year project. Everything doesn’t happen at once.
It’s a travesty that it lost its spectacular marquee for the spartan utilitarian one it sports in the into photo. I wonder if the interior is just as disappointing?
Wait….they are taking over the Ziegfeld too? I though it had been excluded?
I don’t believe that all old theaters can be saved. At the end of the day they must be able to pay for themselves if not in the renvation phase, certainly in the operating phase. That said, I never lost hope on the Kings and that will be one of the biggest success stories. I am also hopeful on the Brooklyn Paramount being eventually brought back to a full performing arts space and Chicago’s Uptown. I am NOT optimistic on the RKO Ketihs Flushing. Alas, we can’t win them all. Speaking of which, check out the page for the United Palace (Loews 175th Street). They have a campaign to bring movies back and they are more than halfway to their goal of $40,000. I just contributed myself! Finally! A real palace that will have regularly scheduled films in Manhattan!
I am an eternal optimist. Now that Coney Island’s future is brighter than it has been in decades it is possible that this actually bodes well for a restoration of this historic theater.
But that’s irrelevant. The New Amsterdam is still a Palace! The Hollywood is a palace! Radio City a palace! and others. Just because they weren’t built for full time presentation of films doesn’t lessen their beauty and their historical importance as Movie Palaces. For me, a theater is a theater, whether it was made exclusively for films or not and I make no real distinction between the two, but I understand that this site is called “Cinema Treasures” and not “Theater Treasures” so the theaters on this site must have had cinema at one time to be included. The criteria is not that the theater has been purpose built for cinema only. That said a great many live theaters have been included as many did show films at one point during their long career.
Maybe Vito can clear this up!!! :–)
I think we can both be right. It’s quite possible that it was designed for live theater/events and as the construction progressed and the deepening depression wore on, the decision was made to add movie capability thereby enabling them to do the quick switch when their worst fears were realized.
Oh, and thanks Tinseltoes for the backup. :–) Radio City was built for live theater and events, but quickly realized it wouldn’t work thereby becoming one of the greatest palaces ever to have existed!
The Mark Hellinger would never have been in danger. It would be very successful as a venue for live theater and I hope the church eventually cashes out so they can use the funds “to help the poor”. Yes, they have taken great care of the theater. It’s beautiful, but it should be used as a theater once again and, yes, live theater counts. :–)
Agreed, but it is considered a palace nonetheless. Radio City was also built for theater not movies. It too, is one of our greatest palaces! :–)
Many churches have been wonderful stewards of old theaters; others have not. Certainly in the case of theaters like Loew’s 175th Street (United Palace), the Stanley (Jersey City), Loew’s Valencia and Loew’s Metropolitan, churches have saved and preserved the theaters that might otherwise have been lost, but other churches have gutted theaters or severely damaged them. The church that purchased the Mark Hellinger theater in Manhattan has taken a stunning movie palace and removed it from the Broadway Live Theater scene. Though they have taken wonderful care of the theater I wish they would sell it back so it can be returned to its legitimate use as a home for the Broadway Stage.
BIG NEWS! There is a campaign under way to buy a projector for this theater and bring regularly scheduled films back to this theater for the first time in more than 40 years. I’m giving $100! Please consider donating and watch the great clip below! This theater is already restored and already has a screen. All that is missing is the projector! http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/return-film-to-the-united-palace
The Henry Miller Theater was also the home of one of New York’s most celebrated Disco’s “Xenon” from 1978 to 1984. Later it was the home to another popular Disco called “Shout”. Xenon was the only club to rival Studio 54 which was also housed in an old theater, the Gallo Opera House on 54th Street. Other celebrated theater Discos were Palladium (Academy of Music) on 14th Street, The Saint (Loew’s Commodore) on 2nd Avenue/6th Street, Club USA (The Forum) Broadway & 49th. They were all incredible structures and all but Studio 54 have been lost.
Drove by this theater on my way to Telluride! It looked like it was in good shape based on its exterior but couldn’t tell if it was still operating as a cafe and/or concert venue.
Amen Bway! I’m an atheist so i don’t like churches but I don’t deny that they have saved a great many palaces; some better than others. Not all churches do a great job. Many have butchered the palaces they took over but I believe the majority have benefitted from their divine users. I wish them well.
GREAT photo! hernandez!
I’ve been to the Kings via the subway. It’s about 5 blocks away. I can’t wait to see the results and I will travel…….by subway!