I guess it’s a little ridiculous to respond to a comment from 5 years ago, but charlesc is mistaken. The were not any actual plans in place to restore the theatre, just a group of citizens who were hoping to do so in spite of the city wanting to destroy the theatre. I remember in the same block was the Commerce Building, which was a lovely Beaux Arts skyscraper, and the old Security Trust Bank. Local citizens kicked up a fuss to save all the buildings, but with the fire at Cook’s Opera house the efforts to save them came to nothing. I was working at Lawyer’s Co-op at the time, and had been out of school for a few years, so the earliest the fire could have occured would have been 1979.
It seems suspicious that a theatre could sit vacant and untouched for decades, and then when the gov’t wants the site, it suddenly burns down.
Instead of something unique and local, Rochester now has the same ininspired type convention center so common to many cities. It just seems odd that with all the vacant land downtown, it couldn’t have gone somewhere else.
What with the loss of Sibley’s, the theatres on Clinton Avenue, Midtown Plaza, and dozens of other things, I don’t even go downtown when I go home to visit. Just the thought is too sickening.
I think the purpose of this website is not to provoke controversy. I put the Rochester Theatre up because it used to be in my hometown. I find Warren’s comment an interesting one and do not feel insulted. In fact if Warren cares to contact me I would like to discuss matters of other theatres with him, he seems a knowledgeable person.
I remember visiting this theatre back when it still showed movies. My parents were aware of my interest in old movie theatres and graciously drove me the 60 miles to Syracuse to see a film here. When I first stepped into the lobby I staggered back about 1 or 2 steps because of the sudden explosion of ornament and color that burst over me. Every surface is heavily decorated with persian/hindu/oriental themes. There is a huge mural taking up one wall of the main lobby, and the whole thing was once illuminated by a chandelier which Louis Tiffany had originally designed for the Vanderbilts. Unfortunately the chandelier was sold when the theatre closed in the mid 70’s, its' been replaced by a smaller moorish style fixture, which matches the decor, but it’s not the same.
I went to the Kings theatre in the 70’s, while visiting an aunt in the area. I the manager was a very kind woman who showed me all over the building when she saw my interest in it. I remember the huge entrance lobby, and the inner lobby with its bronze statues and walnut panelling. The upstairs ladies lounge, and the newel posts on the staircases to the balcony were art deco in style, everything else was a gorgeous french baroque. I hope someone renovates this theatre and reopens it without destroying its integrity. It would be a real loss to Brooklyn if this one gets away.
I guess it’s a little ridiculous to respond to a comment from 5 years ago, but charlesc is mistaken. The were not any actual plans in place to restore the theatre, just a group of citizens who were hoping to do so in spite of the city wanting to destroy the theatre. I remember in the same block was the Commerce Building, which was a lovely Beaux Arts skyscraper, and the old Security Trust Bank. Local citizens kicked up a fuss to save all the buildings, but with the fire at Cook’s Opera house the efforts to save them came to nothing. I was working at Lawyer’s Co-op at the time, and had been out of school for a few years, so the earliest the fire could have occured would have been 1979.
It seems suspicious that a theatre could sit vacant and untouched for decades, and then when the gov’t wants the site, it suddenly burns down.
Instead of something unique and local, Rochester now has the same ininspired type convention center so common to many cities. It just seems odd that with all the vacant land downtown, it couldn’t have gone somewhere else.
What with the loss of Sibley’s, the theatres on Clinton Avenue, Midtown Plaza, and dozens of other things, I don’t even go downtown when I go home to visit. Just the thought is too sickening.
I think the purpose of this website is not to provoke controversy. I put the Rochester Theatre up because it used to be in my hometown. I find Warren’s comment an interesting one and do not feel insulted. In fact if Warren cares to contact me I would like to discuss matters of other theatres with him, he seems a knowledgeable person.
I didn’t know it had a reputation like that. In the photos I’d seen it looked rather luxurious and impressive. Oh well, to each his own.
I remember visiting this theatre back when it still showed movies. My parents were aware of my interest in old movie theatres and graciously drove me the 60 miles to Syracuse to see a film here. When I first stepped into the lobby I staggered back about 1 or 2 steps because of the sudden explosion of ornament and color that burst over me. Every surface is heavily decorated with persian/hindu/oriental themes. There is a huge mural taking up one wall of the main lobby, and the whole thing was once illuminated by a chandelier which Louis Tiffany had originally designed for the Vanderbilts. Unfortunately the chandelier was sold when the theatre closed in the mid 70’s, its' been replaced by a smaller moorish style fixture, which matches the decor, but it’s not the same.
I went to the Kings theatre in the 70’s, while visiting an aunt in the area. I the manager was a very kind woman who showed me all over the building when she saw my interest in it. I remember the huge entrance lobby, and the inner lobby with its bronze statues and walnut panelling. The upstairs ladies lounge, and the newel posts on the staircases to the balcony were art deco in style, everything else was a gorgeous french baroque. I hope someone renovates this theatre and reopens it without destroying its integrity. It would be a real loss to Brooklyn if this one gets away.