Publix Theatre
659-65 Washington Street,
Boston,
MA
02201
659-65 Washington Street,
Boston,
MA
02201
12 people
favorited this theater
Showing 176 - 200 of 203 comments
As of yesterday the theatre was still standing, but I don’t think any legal impediments remain to prevent demolition. I’ll try to walk by every few days and report any activity.
I have a booklet called “Boston Theatre District: A Walking Tour”, published by the Boston Preservation Alliance in 1993. It says:
In 1909 Architect Clarence Blackall created this 1700-seat fireproof theatre out of steel and reinforced concrete. The curved first balcony seemed to be held up without visible support. Above it was a steep gallery. Twenty brass-railed boxes rose in three tiers at each side of the proscenium. The Gaiety is fronted by a six-story office building under which runs a long entry from Washington Street.
Preceding the Gaiety on the site were the Boylston Museum (1875-85), the World’s Museum (1887-90) and the Lyceum Theatre from 1893 to 1907. The Gaiety became the Publix movie theatre in 1950, which closed in the 1980s.
Ron—It’s very disappointing that the Appeals Court failed to link the zoning and theater issues. It would be tragic to lose the battle over the Gaiety and win the zoning war. It’s puzzling, but I’m a planner not a lawyer. I sometimes wonder if there’s some weird mix of Puritanism and capitalism that wants to absolve lower Washington of its “Combat Zone” past while making a buck in the process. Can they take this to the Commonwealth’s Supreme Court, or is the Appeals Court the last bite at the apple?
It’s not looking good. From today’s Boston Globe:
Court denies appeal of Gaiety demolition
he Massachusetts Appeals Court rejected the Glass Slipper strip club’s request to stop demolition of the defunct Gaiety Theatre. The Gaiety’s owner, Kensington Investment Co., wants to construct an apartment building near the corner of Washington and LaGrange streets, land partly occupied by the Gaiety and the Glass Slipper. The Glass Slipper had asked the Massachusetts Land Court for an injunction that would spare the Gaiety. That request was denied Tuesday and the Glass Slipper appealed. Yesterday, the Appeals Court upheld the Land Court’s decision. The Glass Slipper’s lawyer said his client was reviewing his options. A Kensington spokeswoman said the developer was pleased with the result. She declined to elaborate on an earlier statement that the Gaiety’s demolition “will shortly proceed.” In Land Court, a lawsuit continues in which the Glass Slipper alleges that Kensington was wrongly granted special zoning for its housing development.
Let’s hope the Appeals Court links the zoning and demolition issues. A “ten taxpayers” suit might have helped here.
In so many cities, the local powers-that-be favor monster condominium projects in the downtown business districts. In the process, they destroy the older buildings which make up the character and fabric of the city.
Another message from Lee Eiseman:
Subject: last gasp
December 22 11:00AM
As I write this, Glass Slipper lawyer, Ken Tatarian is before a justice of the Massachusetts Court of Appeals asking for an emergency order to prevent demolition of The Gaiety.
If any individual or orgnization wishes to submit an amicus brief he/they must do so in writing within the next hour to the address below.
Please refer to Romano versus Boston Zoning Commission, et al, docket number 2004-J-603
Massachusetts Appeals Court
Three Center Plaza, 7th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 725-8106
Let’s hope the Glass Slipper’s attorney will file the appeal. They have legal standing since they’re an abutter to the property. There’s another legal avenue called a “ten taxpayers” suit where under certain circumstances ten citizens can file an appeal. It’s another way of getting standing in the courts, though it’s less often used. If the Glass Slipper appeals, let’s hope that court works on a different theory than Judge Long. Some kind of landmark status for the building would have helped here. Land Court tends to be quite conservative. Overall, the Massachusetts court system works reasonably well, though—no matter what you might see on “Boston Legal.” Maybe they should hire Danny Crane or Alan Shore. Bobby Donald may be looking for work.
From today’s Boston Globe:
Strip club loses bid to halt Gaiety’s demise
A Massachusetts Land Court judge yesterday rejected a request by the Glass Slipper strip club to stop a developer from tearing down the defunct and dilapidated Gaiety Theatre nearby.
The theater’s owner, Kensington Investment Co., said it will “shortly proceed with demolition of long-vacant buildings” it owns at 659-665 Washington St. near Chinatown. It declined to give a more specific timetable.
It was unclear last night whether the Glass Slipper would appeal the judge’s decision. Calls to the Glass Slipper’s attorney were not returned.
In denying the Glass Slipper’s request for a preliminary injunction, Judge Keith Long wrote that the Glass Slipper had failed to demonstrate that it would be irreparably harmed by the Gaiety’s demolition.
Long also wrote that the Glass Slipper had not shown that it’s likely to prevail on the merits of its claim in an ongoing lawsuit that the Gaiety, as a theater in the city’s theater district, can only be demolished under special circumstances.
Long, who toured the Gaiety recently, noted that the Gaiety has “not been used as a theater, equipped for use as a theater, or legally capable of being used as a theater under its certificate of occupancy since at least May 10, 1988.”
Kensington wants to build an apartment tower called Kensington Place on land partly occupied by the Glass Slipper and the Gaiety. The Boston Redevelopment Authority has said it will seek to take the Glass Slipper by eminent domain if Kensington and the Glass Slipper cannot negotiate a sale.
There’s hope—some anyway—going to the Court of Appeals. I was involved in a land use case in Massachusetts that went against us in Land Court and was overturned in the Appeals Court. The justices may see that the intent of the zoning here has been fractured beyond belief.
Lee Eiseman of the Gaiety Friends sent a message to his mailing list today, saying that Judge Long denied the Glass Slipper’s request for a temporary restraining order against demolition of The Gaiety Theatre. The Glass Slipper will immediately appeal tomorrow to the Massachusetts Court of Appeals. Kensington promised Judge Long that they will not begin demolition before 5 pm tomorrow (Wednesday, December 22).
Several issues are raised here. Why did the Landmarks Commission fail to give this theater landmark status? If this isn’t a landmark, what is, particularly in the context of the theater district? Tearing down a structurally sound, architecturally significant theater in a theater district strikes me as a totally convoluted bit reasoning…save from the point of view of the developer.
From Chinatown’s newspaper “Sampan”:
Judge Holds Theater’s Fate
From today’s Boston Globe:
Gaiety Theatre demolition on hold
The Massachusetts Land Court heard arguments that it should stop a developer from demolishing the defunct Gaiety Theatre, near Chinatown. The Gaiety’s owner, Kensington Investment Co., recently was issued a demolition permit. But a Gaiety neighbor, the Glass Slipper strip club, asserted it would be harmed by the theater’s demolition. According to the Glass Slipper, the city zoning code allows the demolition of theaters in the theater district only under special circumstances. But, Kensington’s lawyers claimed the Glass Slipper failed to demonstrate that it would be harmed by the demolition. Kensington wants to replace the Gaiety and the Glass Slipper with an apartment building. Judge Keith C. Long said he would issue a ruling next week after Kensington agreed not to take any action until then.
Ron: Sad news to be sure. Thanks for the links. Tom
A demolition permit has been granted, and depending on what happens with some litigation today, the wrecking ball could come as early as tomorrow ;–(
See here
and here.
The Gaiety Theatre opened on 23rd November 1908 as a burlesque house, the opening programme was Charles Waldron’s “Tocadero Burlesquers”. The architect was Clarence H. Blackall and it had a seating capacity of 1,700.
In 1919 it was re-named Gayety and continued as a live venue until 1931 when it was taken over by New England theatre magnet E.M. Loew who introduced movies to the building, while keeping some stage productions for a while. The 2nd balcony was closed in 1932. In 1949 it was re-named the Publix and continued as a movie thear until it closed in 1980, since when it has been shuttered and un-used.
Gerald: Timely and fascinating article about the Gayety in the Phoenix. Thanks. It’s a case study. I’ve seen mayors in other cities become similarly obsessed with high rise condo towers, though this situation has the added factor of the Glass Slipper. Why bother have zoning and plans if they get thrown out the window? This theater is a gem, and it’s a venue that could meet a market need.
what a shame,
a great theater that deserves to be saved, but is badly neglected.
It needs to be saved before it’s too late!
And the Gayety Saga continues! Read it here.
Gerald, Thanks for posting the Phoenix article. The Gaiety is an absolute gem of a theater. At the moment I live out of state, however, I recall the building clearly. The mayor should work some kind of compromise here. The BRA can plunk condo towers in any number of other places. Most cities would be ecstatic to have this facility and work to preserve it.
An article just appeared in the Boston Phoenix about the opposition of mayor Tom Menino of Boston to the saving of the Gaiety/Gayety.
View link
Does anyone know the current status of the fight to save the Gayety? I sent an e-mail to the gaietyboston.com site a while back but received no reply. I am very interested in the outcome and would really like to know how things are progressing.
I worked for EM Loew when the Pubix was still open and showing double features. It did a very good business as well as his Center across the street. I have been following the recent events with interest and if I were still in Boston would be carrying banners to urge its salvation. What an idal spot for a classic film/ art film/ local talent spot. I have leads for those who may be able to help. Let me know if you are interested. Joh Lelecas Ft. Lauderdale
Great site, Lee; though apparently it is still in the process of construction. I can remember going to the Publix in the late ‘70’s, when it was in sorry disrepair, but I recall looking up at all the boxes and balconies and thinking how sad it was that such a beautiful theatre had fallen on such hard times. Keep up the good work!!!
There is a very good website put up by Gaiety Theatre Friends who are trying to save that playhouse. Would you please put up a link?
http://www.gaietyboston.com
Thanks,
Lee Eiseman
The address for the Gayety/Publix is 659-65 Washington Street. The spelling was Gayety, with a “y”, as evidenced by the exterior photos of painted wall-lettering in the www.cinematour.com photos. The theatre is only one block away from the beautifully restored Cutler Majestic on Tremont Street. Would that Emerson College could buy and restore this treasure as well. Alas, that is wishful thinking.