Kings Theatre, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America.
Restored Using Federal and New York State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits
Illustration: THE MUNICIPAL ART SOCIETY OF NEW YORK
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The Kings Theatre, formerly Loew's Kings Theatre, is a Movie Palace-type Theatre in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City.
Opened in 1929 and closed in 1977, the Theatre sat empty for decades until a complete renovation was initiated in 2010. The Theatre re-opened to the public on 23 January 2015 as a Performing Arts Venue. It was Listed on The National Register of Historic Places on 22 August 2012.
The re-opened Kings Theatre, Brooklyn, New York.
Photo: 16 June 2015.
Source: Own work.
Author: Jim.henderson.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Loew's Kings Theatre was designed by the architectural firm of Rapp and Rapp. The interior decor was designed by Harold W. Rambusch. It was built and operated by The Loew's Theatres Chain, and was one of the five "Loew's Wonder Theatres" in The New York Metropolitan Area.
This 3,676-seat Theatre originally presented Shows that combined Movies and live Vaudeville. It opened 7 September 1929, with a programme that included the film Evangeline, a live Stage Show, orchestra and solo pipe organ. The film's star, Dolores del Rio made a special live appearance. With the decline of Vaudeville, however, the Theatre soon converted to showing feature films only.
On 30 August 1977, The Loew's Kings Theatre closed. Its final film was Islands in the Stream, with George C. Scott. After the time of its closing, when its lavish 1929-interior was almost completely intact, the shuttered Theatre slowly deteriorated.
On 30 August 1977, The Loew's Kings Theatre closed. Its final film was Islands in the Stream, with George C. Scott. After the time of its closing, when its lavish 1929-interior was almost completely intact, the shuttered Theatre slowly deteriorated.
Extensive physical damage was sustained to The Kings' interior as a result of decades of neglect, water damage and vandalism. The roof was belatedly repaired in 2007 to halt further deterioration. It has been owned by The City of New York since 1979. After closing, the Theatere was subject of a film documentary, "Memoirs of a Movie Palace".
After having been the object of numerous proposals for its restoration over the previous thirty years, The Kings Theatre underwent a complete renovation. The City of New York announced the new plan on 2 February 2010, with a goal of returning the Theatre to use as a Performing Arts Venue.
The $93 million renovation was completed in partnership with a private developer, ACE Theatrical Group of Houston, which had previously overseen major restorations of a number of historic Theatres, including The Boston Opera House.
The new managers, ACE Theatrical Group, spent $95 million on the renovation, including over $75,000 just on the restoration of The Lobby Furniture, which had been saved for four decades by the Theatre's previous manager.
The Theatre's interior spaces were restored to their 1929 appearance, and its Stage facilities completely rebuilt to modern standards. Restoration work in the Auditorium and Lobby was underway and nearing completion through Late-2014. Diana Ross was the Featured Artiste for The Gala Re-Opening Performance on 3 February 2015.
The new managers, ACE Theatrical Group, spent $95 million on the renovation, including over $75,000 just on the restoration of The Lobby Furniture, which had been saved for four decades by the Theatre's previous manager.
The Theatre's interior spaces were restored to their 1929 appearance, and its Stage facilities completely rebuilt to modern standards. Restoration work in the Auditorium and Lobby was underway and nearing completion through Late-2014. Diana Ross was the Featured Artiste for The Gala Re-Opening Performance on 3 February 2015.
The Web-Site of The Kings Theatre is HERE
