It’s official!!!!! This theater is being gutted for Greenpoint’s first….Starbucks! I don’t know if gutted is the right word since the articles that I’ve read don’t make any mention of any original theater details remaining after its days as a Popeye’s and Burger King. I suppose a Starbucks is better that a fast food place. I guess the big surprise for me is that Greenpoint is getting a Starbucks before hipster nabe Williamsburg next door! Hopefully, the eagle atop the building will remain and be well taken care of by the new proprietors.
Gustavelifting…..I was at the tour of the theater given for potential developers back in October (read my posting from 10/29) and Markowitz (ideally) wants the theater to be used for the performing arts. However, the city will listen to all proposals. The one basic requirement for ALL plans is that the theater be restored to it’s original splendor. It could be as a theater/performing arts center or as a catering hall, TV production facility, etc. The key is to preserve this historic and vital piece of Brooklyn and Theater history for future generations to enjoy. While I would be greatly disappointed to see the theater used for anything other than movies/entertainment, I would be satisfied to see the building returned to its rightful place as one of Brooklyn’s and New York’s most beautiful restored landmarks.
p.s. Markowitz said during the presentation that he wanted the Kings to be the premier Performing Arts Center in Brooklyn. I think the people at the Brooklyn Academy of Music would be a bit miffed at that. BAM is and will always be the top performings arts center in Brooklyn and one of the top centers of the city. Nonetheless, in a borough of 2.6MM people there is certainly room for a second world class center. The Loew’s Kings should rightly claim that mantle.
During the Brooklyn Borough President’s State of the Borough address last week he mentioned all of the grand projects on the agenda in 2007. He talked about Atlantic Yards and the new Nets Arena, the New Coney Island Amusement Park/Condo/Retail project, a second Cruise Ship pier in Red Hook, a new amphitheater (also in Coney Island) and The Brooklyn Bridge Park, among others. Last mentioned, but mentioned prominently nonetheless, was the restoration of the Loew’s Kings for use as a performing arts center! Aside from that mention, I haven’t heard about any progress after the RFP was due to the city’s Economic Development Authority. Does anyone else know where the project currently stands? How many proposals were submitted? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
I went to Bond’s International Casino when it was a disco in the mid 80’s when Times Square was still pretty tawdry. What made this disco different? Three things: 1) A musical staircase leading from Broadway entry level to the second floor Disco. Each step made a note when you walked on it. 2) A humongous dance floor! In addition to the standard strobe lights, Bond’s had Inflatable people that were about 5-10 times human size that would inflate and deflate overhead as you danced. 3) There was a stage with dancing fountains! The kids today have nothing like the clubs we had in our youth. While this club was not previously a theater, many of the best in New York were, including, but not limited to, Studio 54, Xenon, The Saint, Palladium and Club USA. Alas, all history now!
There is nothing wrong with a multiplex type of moviehouse for art films, if it is done correctly. I think the IFC Center (formerly the Waverly) and the Sunshine Cinemas (on Houston) are excellent examples. They are two of the best theaters in the city and Williamsburg would be very lucky to have something like it.
Rhett49….you missed the point about Dreamgirls. What made it worth the $25 (and I think almost everyone who went during the limited engagement would say that it was) was the joy and excitement that you get by seeing a movie with more than 1,000 other enthusiastic fans. Combine that with the Ziegfeld Theater itself, the elegance of being escorted to your seat by a professional and personable usher, no commercials, no previews and rounds of appluase from the audience after each big song, well, that is an experience I will not soon forget. No Dreamgirls is not one of the best films ever made, far from it, but it is one of the best theater going experiences I’ve ever had!
I guess I’ll be the first to comment on the above….Queens does have a Wonder Theater! It is The Valencia in Jamiaca and it too is in very good hands. Though not a working theater it has been very well maintained. Queens is indeed big enough for 2 restored palaces!
I just looked on the map to see where Danville was and um, I don’t want to offend anyone, but it appears to be in the middle of nowhere! How did this area sustain 20,000 theater seats?! I realize that in the end, it didn’t, but at one point it must have been fairly successful to encourage the amount of theater buliding noted in the intro above. Anyone have an answer?
All one needs to do is read the above postings to see that this theater is worth saving and that it is in good enough shape to be saved. What’s different now is that the City’s, and indeed Brooklyn’s, fortunes are dramatically improved and it may now be feasible to restore this grand theater. That is what the Economic Development Corporation is working on. Gustave, you are most definitely not alone! There are many of us who want to see the Kings rise again.
I was at Sunday night’s sold out performance of Dreamgirls and it was one of the best movie going experiences I’ve ever had. I was in a group of 20 and all agreed it was well worth $25.
Our performance was also delayed until 8:15, but as posted above, it was due to the late arriving audience due to heavy street and pedestrian traffic in the area. The audience energy was electrifying and many applauded the screen after many of the show stoppers. The ushers were very friendly and professional. There were no previews and NO COMMERCIALS!
Oh, and the movie was wonderful, though the original stage production was even better! Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson deserve Oscars!
I don’t believe there’s been any movement on this project since the last post. Should we expect change of direction now that Spitzer and the Democrats are now in power in Albany?
I read the review in the Times this morning and I also think the critic (A.O. Scott) is a moron! Believe it or not, his only real criticism was with the music! I saw the original Dreamgirls on Broadway and the revival and the music is magnificent. When there was a special one night only benefit perfomance of Dreamgirls on Broadway a few years back there THREE standing ovations during the show when three songs were sung: One Night Only, We’re Your Dreamgirls, and I’m Telling You I’m Not Going!
I have tickets for Sunday evening the 17th. I organized a group of 20 friends to see it and it’s going to be a great night at the theater. According to the full page ad in today’s Times, all performances for tonight, Saturday and Sunday are completely SOLD OUT even at $25 a ticket!
I agree that theaters like the Keith’s are beyond young people’s imagination today, but at least we still have a few theaters left can still be seen and even enjoyed as a movie theater: Loew’s Jersey in Jersey City and The Lafayette in Suffern, NY. The Loew’s Valencia in Jamaica Queens, Loew’s 175th St, and The Hollywood theater (the old Mark Hellinger) both in Manhattan are churches that are beautifully maintained and easily viewed without having to attend a service. Radio City Music Hall, Loew’s Paradise in The Bronx and The St. George theater on Staten Island are beautifully restored theaters that are now live performance venues. It has just been announced that The Beacon theater in Manhattan will undergo a minimum $10MM renovation next year. I’m looking forward to the day when we can add the Loew’s Kings (and maybe The Paramount) in Brooklyn to this list!
The organ is no longer at The Kings. I believe in above posts you can find where it went. I do know that the Wonder Organ from the Paradise is now at The Jersey and that the Wonder Organ from the 175th St. is still in place and fully restored.
I was at the developer’s tour (see 10/29 posting). What’s left of the draperies are totally ruined and would need to be replaced, but this palace is totally salvagable. What is needed is an economically viable plan and the will to carry it out. The New Amsterdam on 42nd St. in Manhattan was in far worse shape with gaping holes in the ceiling, but today it stands as, arguably, the most beautiful theater in the country. Obviously, the economics of Manhattan are far different than Brooklyn, but that is what the city’s economic development authority is trying to resolve. How can they make it work? I pray that they find the answer.
It seems like there are an incredible number of parking lots in downtown Trenton! Besides government, is there anything else in downtown Trenton to park for?
The potential deveoper picture in the Times showed only a few people. I was at the tour in mid October and there were between 50 and 100 people present.
I saw it on the best real estate development web site in the city: curbed.com which I usually find to be a very reliable website. Latte’s Everyone?
It’s official!!!!! This theater is being gutted for Greenpoint’s first….Starbucks! I don’t know if gutted is the right word since the articles that I’ve read don’t make any mention of any original theater details remaining after its days as a Popeye’s and Burger King. I suppose a Starbucks is better that a fast food place. I guess the big surprise for me is that Greenpoint is getting a Starbucks before hipster nabe Williamsburg next door! Hopefully, the eagle atop the building will remain and be well taken care of by the new proprietors.
Gustavelifting…..I was at the tour of the theater given for potential developers back in October (read my posting from 10/29) and Markowitz (ideally) wants the theater to be used for the performing arts. However, the city will listen to all proposals. The one basic requirement for ALL plans is that the theater be restored to it’s original splendor. It could be as a theater/performing arts center or as a catering hall, TV production facility, etc. The key is to preserve this historic and vital piece of Brooklyn and Theater history for future generations to enjoy. While I would be greatly disappointed to see the theater used for anything other than movies/entertainment, I would be satisfied to see the building returned to its rightful place as one of Brooklyn’s and New York’s most beautiful restored landmarks.
p.s. Markowitz said during the presentation that he wanted the Kings to be the premier Performing Arts Center in Brooklyn. I think the people at the Brooklyn Academy of Music would be a bit miffed at that. BAM is and will always be the top performings arts center in Brooklyn and one of the top centers of the city. Nonetheless, in a borough of 2.6MM people there is certainly room for a second world class center. The Loew’s Kings should rightly claim that mantle.
Really sad! I guess the description above now needs to be changed to “demolished”.
During the Brooklyn Borough President’s State of the Borough address last week he mentioned all of the grand projects on the agenda in 2007. He talked about Atlantic Yards and the new Nets Arena, the New Coney Island Amusement Park/Condo/Retail project, a second Cruise Ship pier in Red Hook, a new amphitheater (also in Coney Island) and The Brooklyn Bridge Park, among others. Last mentioned, but mentioned prominently nonetheless, was the restoration of the Loew’s Kings for use as a performing arts center! Aside from that mention, I haven’t heard about any progress after the RFP was due to the city’s Economic Development Authority. Does anyone else know where the project currently stands? How many proposals were submitted? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
I went to Bond’s International Casino when it was a disco in the mid 80’s when Times Square was still pretty tawdry. What made this disco different? Three things: 1) A musical staircase leading from Broadway entry level to the second floor Disco. Each step made a note when you walked on it. 2) A humongous dance floor! In addition to the standard strobe lights, Bond’s had Inflatable people that were about 5-10 times human size that would inflate and deflate overhead as you danced. 3) There was a stage with dancing fountains! The kids today have nothing like the clubs we had in our youth. While this club was not previously a theater, many of the best in New York were, including, but not limited to, Studio 54, Xenon, The Saint, Palladium and Club USA. Alas, all history now!
There is nothing wrong with a multiplex type of moviehouse for art films, if it is done correctly. I think the IFC Center (formerly the Waverly) and the Sunshine Cinemas (on Houston) are excellent examples. They are two of the best theaters in the city and Williamsburg would be very lucky to have something like it.
Rhett49….you missed the point about Dreamgirls. What made it worth the $25 (and I think almost everyone who went during the limited engagement would say that it was) was the joy and excitement that you get by seeing a movie with more than 1,000 other enthusiastic fans. Combine that with the Ziegfeld Theater itself, the elegance of being escorted to your seat by a professional and personable usher, no commercials, no previews and rounds of appluase from the audience after each big song, well, that is an experience I will not soon forget. No Dreamgirls is not one of the best films ever made, far from it, but it is one of the best theater going experiences I’ve ever had!
I guess I’ll be the first to comment on the above….Queens does have a Wonder Theater! It is The Valencia in Jamiaca and it too is in very good hands. Though not a working theater it has been very well maintained. Queens is indeed big enough for 2 restored palaces!
I just looked on the map to see where Danville was and um, I don’t want to offend anyone, but it appears to be in the middle of nowhere! How did this area sustain 20,000 theater seats?! I realize that in the end, it didn’t, but at one point it must have been fairly successful to encourage the amount of theater buliding noted in the intro above. Anyone have an answer?
Based on intro the status should be changed to closed.
All one needs to do is read the above postings to see that this theater is worth saving and that it is in good enough shape to be saved. What’s different now is that the City’s, and indeed Brooklyn’s, fortunes are dramatically improved and it may now be feasible to restore this grand theater. That is what the Economic Development Corporation is working on. Gustave, you are most definitely not alone! There are many of us who want to see the Kings rise again.
I was at Sunday night’s sold out performance of Dreamgirls and it was one of the best movie going experiences I’ve ever had. I was in a group of 20 and all agreed it was well worth $25.
Our performance was also delayed until 8:15, but as posted above, it was due to the late arriving audience due to heavy street and pedestrian traffic in the area. The audience energy was electrifying and many applauded the screen after many of the show stoppers. The ushers were very friendly and professional. There were no previews and NO COMMERCIALS!
Oh, and the movie was wonderful, though the original stage production was even better! Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson deserve Oscars!
Hooray for The Ziegfeld! This is a great theater!
I don’t believe there’s been any movement on this project since the last post. Should we expect change of direction now that Spitzer and the Democrats are now in power in Albany?
I think Luchow’s was located where the PC Richard’s appliance store is now.
I think Luchow’s was located where the PC Richard’s appliance store is now.
I read the review in the Times this morning and I also think the critic (A.O. Scott) is a moron! Believe it or not, his only real criticism was with the music! I saw the original Dreamgirls on Broadway and the revival and the music is magnificent. When there was a special one night only benefit perfomance of Dreamgirls on Broadway a few years back there THREE standing ovations during the show when three songs were sung: One Night Only, We’re Your Dreamgirls, and I’m Telling You I’m Not Going!
I have tickets for Sunday evening the 17th. I organized a group of 20 friends to see it and it’s going to be a great night at the theater. According to the full page ad in today’s Times, all performances for tonight, Saturday and Sunday are completely SOLD OUT even at $25 a ticket!
Has anything happened with this theater? Was the office project approved?
I agree that theaters like the Keith’s are beyond young people’s imagination today, but at least we still have a few theaters left can still be seen and even enjoyed as a movie theater: Loew’s Jersey in Jersey City and The Lafayette in Suffern, NY. The Loew’s Valencia in Jamaica Queens, Loew’s 175th St, and The Hollywood theater (the old Mark Hellinger) both in Manhattan are churches that are beautifully maintained and easily viewed without having to attend a service. Radio City Music Hall, Loew’s Paradise in The Bronx and The St. George theater on Staten Island are beautifully restored theaters that are now live performance venues. It has just been announced that The Beacon theater in Manhattan will undergo a minimum $10MM renovation next year. I’m looking forward to the day when we can add the Loew’s Kings (and maybe The Paramount) in Brooklyn to this list!
Has all of the internal ornamentation been lost? Are there drop ceilings protecting the original ceiling?
The organ is no longer at The Kings. I believe in above posts you can find where it went. I do know that the Wonder Organ from the Paradise is now at The Jersey and that the Wonder Organ from the 175th St. is still in place and fully restored.
I too believe that the time is right! These are exciting times for Brooklyn and the future is bright.
I was at the developer’s tour (see 10/29 posting). What’s left of the draperies are totally ruined and would need to be replaced, but this palace is totally salvagable. What is needed is an economically viable plan and the will to carry it out. The New Amsterdam on 42nd St. in Manhattan was in far worse shape with gaping holes in the ceiling, but today it stands as, arguably, the most beautiful theater in the country. Obviously, the economics of Manhattan are far different than Brooklyn, but that is what the city’s economic development authority is trying to resolve. How can they make it work? I pray that they find the answer.
It seems like there are an incredible number of parking lots in downtown Trenton! Besides government, is there anything else in downtown Trenton to park for?
The potential deveoper picture in the Times showed only a few people. I was at the tour in mid October and there were between 50 and 100 people present.