Have a news tip for us?
Just email . Ideas for stories, links to interesting articles, and press releases are welcome.
Looking for Theater / Performance Venue
posted by
artdoggie
on
January 26, 2006 at 5:54 am
I am interested in purchasing an old theater / performance venue for a theater company located in New York City.
Must have proximity to NYC, but am flexible about area. Space can accomodate live performance as well as film projection. Please contact me should you have any leads. I appreciate any help I can get. Contact Jenny via email: .com
Thanks to all,
J
Comments (9)
The old Mayfair/Demille/Embassy 2,3,4 stands vacant on Broadway and 47th in Times Square. I understand the owner is willing to talk long term lease, but that the rent he is demanding is pretty high. The theater was subject to a cheap conversion to triplex in the ‘70’s, but the agent for the owner has said it would take minimal cost and effort to restore to single auditorium and that the stage and fly space is still intact.
Roundabout Theater used to stage productions at the Gramercy Theater on 23rd Street, which I think is also currently vacant.
As for the outer boroughs, too bad you couldn’t have jumped into the fray and bid on the old RKO Keith’s in Flushing – that is, if you were interested in a magnificent atmospheric palace with nearly 3000 seats.
The Embassy 2,3,4 has been sitting empty since 1998. And remember how much is minimal cost? I would like to see the theatre reopened but this one is going to cost a pretty penny to reopen. The rent as of about three years ago was 1 million a year. A bar a half block north is paying $50,000 and month rent.
Another problem that could happen is that. That property along with the store fronts just north of it, could make a nice piece of land for a tower. It is one of the last pieces of property the corners of Times Square. Look at the other end, South side of Times Square. It all has towers now. The building is not a landmaked building and could come down as easy as 1600 Broadway did, last year for condos.
Greetings,
The last time I drove through Monticello, NY, the old theater on Broadway was still for sale. I know nothing about this theater and have never been inside, but a call to any Monticello real estate agent will give you the details.
Many NYers are moving to or vactioning in Sullivan County these days. I understand that the economy is improving steadily.
Good luck, Barcly
You’re right William, but I was just trying to optimistically pass along the property to artdoggie all the same. The owner’s agent claims that there are no plans to demolish the building. I understand that these are famous last words (like those of the Solomons in 1986 when assuring that the removal of pediment work at the Rivoli was purely for safety reasons, not to thwart landmark consideration), but the agent did say that they were willing to negotiate a 10 year lease or longer. I say that if anyone is interested in finding space for theatrical use, we should at least mention this site as one with great potential – and let the negotiations unfold between the building’s owner and any prospective tenants/purchasers.
The auditorium of the Rialto in Monticello does not exist anymore, only the lobby.
I think Barcly is referring to the other Monticello theater- The Broadway Theater, which I am now trying to track down. If anyone has a number for the owner, I’d love to see if it is still for sale.
Thanks,
J
I have an update on several theaters that I toured upstate.
We visited the Liberty Theater in Liberty, NY. In the 70’s, it was broken up into 3 discount cinemas.
It has been sold a couple of times in the last few years & because of this the cost is too prohibitive for us. The new owner bought it for $535,000 & wants more for it. It needs a lot of work— all new heating system being the most costly. It could be returned to a beautiful opera-type theater by somebody with very deep pockets as a labor of love. It would need to be re-purposed though as it won’t ever be sustaining as a movie theater only. The community is eager for a multi-function arts space.
The Broadway Theater is completely submerged. It should be called the “Titanic” Theater. Very sad.
The current owner is just allowing 3 ft of water to sit in the space & thus everything is rusting & molding. He wants a crazy about for it as well, something like $700,000. Major, major problems.
I’m afraid this one is a total demo.
The Hippodrome in Loch Sheldrake. This is a working theater space, but not viable as a movie theater. Asking price is way too high again at $525,000. The theater is owned by one of the real estate agents in the office up there & he thinks he is going to cash in. Needs work as well, but not as extensively as the Liberty.
Middletown Discount Cinemas is looking to sell. This is a lease, not a purchase, but the only real working theater that is a viable business that we found.
Hello,
I own a beautifully rnovated theatre in North West New Jersey. Scenic little town 60 miles from NYC. great patron base. Serious ar house. Clasiical music, theatre, movies etc. Call Howard for more info.
Best,
Howard
415 377 9052
Hi Jenny,
I am a preservationist who is seeking parties of interest who will save the day for an endangered early 20th century theater of great historic merit in Queens, NY by Thomas Lamb. The theater is available for lease and possibly for purchase. Please e-mail me at your earliest convenience. I can be reached at for more information. Thanks!