Here is a link to a photo I took of the RKO Chester’s demolition. As you can see there is not much left. I went back the next day and finally got access to the site and there was even less. The eagle motiff over the bacony exit door was also gone. When I asked about it they said it was plaster and had been destroyed. It is a very sad end to a great theater View link
I recently paid a visit to El Mundo which is located in the former Spooner. I walk up stairs to the mezzenie area which was full of furniture and noticed that there was another staircase so I decided to go up and take a look. as I went up I noticed that the marble wainscoting was unpainted unlike the lower levels. When I got to the top I was in an area just infront of the projection booth and behind the balcony full of beds. You could see the entire auditorium from up there. I was shocked to see that it was mostly intact. The seats were all gone but and it was in very poor shape due to leaks and general neglect. It was painted a deep red. It must have been quite a theater. The Chester was more impressive to see abandon but this is far more intact. It appears that El Mundo only uses the lobby and the back of the main level as a sales floor and uses the rest as storage. I snapped a photo with my camera phone, its not great but it gives you some idea. View link
I finally got a quick look at the work going on inside today. The roof is gone and it looks like just the walls are left, some of the arches were still intact but thats it. I asked a worker who was leaving about the balcony and he said its all gone. I had seen the inside about 12 years ago and most of the walls above the level of the auto repair shop where still intact as was the balcony, it was very surreal.
Unfourtnatly, The demolition of the Chester has begun. The building has scaffolds all around it with demolition contractor signs on it. I passed it on the Cross Bronx Expressway yesterday (14 May 2010) and the roof beams are now expossed and parts of the parapit walls are being removed. I have tried to get a look inside but the roll down door on the side is always closed ( I think the workers are getting access from the motel property next to the theater)
Here is a link to a photo I took of the RKO Chester’s demolition. As you can see there is not much left. I went back the next day and finally got access to the site and there was even less. The eagle motiff over the bacony exit door was also gone. When I asked about it they said it was plaster and had been destroyed. It is a very sad end to a great theater
View link
I recently paid a visit to El Mundo which is located in the former Spooner. I walk up stairs to the mezzenie area which was full of furniture and noticed that there was another staircase so I decided to go up and take a look. as I went up I noticed that the marble wainscoting was unpainted unlike the lower levels. When I got to the top I was in an area just infront of the projection booth and behind the balcony full of beds. You could see the entire auditorium from up there. I was shocked to see that it was mostly intact. The seats were all gone but and it was in very poor shape due to leaks and general neglect. It was painted a deep red. It must have been quite a theater. The Chester was more impressive to see abandon but this is far more intact. It appears that El Mundo only uses the lobby and the back of the main level as a sales floor and uses the rest as storage. I snapped a photo with my camera phone, its not great but it gives you some idea.
View link
I finally got a quick look at the work going on inside today. The roof is gone and it looks like just the walls are left, some of the arches were still intact but thats it. I asked a worker who was leaving about the balcony and he said its all gone. I had seen the inside about 12 years ago and most of the walls above the level of the auto repair shop where still intact as was the balcony, it was very surreal.
Unfourtnatly, The demolition of the Chester has begun. The building has scaffolds all around it with demolition contractor signs on it. I passed it on the Cross Bronx Expressway yesterday (14 May 2010) and the roof beams are now expossed and parts of the parapit walls are being removed. I have tried to get a look inside but the roll down door on the side is always closed ( I think the workers are getting access from the motel property next to the theater)