Imperial Theatre
157 Irving Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11237
157 Irving Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11237
3 people
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Showing 26 - 50 of 74 comments
Very interesting John, have to check it out one day. As for the replacement bricks, the old ones were probably in not too good shape. If you look at my photo from 10 years ago, which is the main photo currently, the right hand side of the facade also seems to have been tampered with even way back then. Probably repair for damage brickwork.
Since I was off for President’s Day, I took a short trip through Bushwick and visited the old theater. The renovation is proceeding very well and they have done, with one exception, a very good job of restoring the façade – they have even taken those unsightly metal slabs off the window. (The exception concerns some modern brickwork that was installed at the top of the building’s Irving Ave. side; perhaps the original material was just too weak; but this is a minor wrinkle to what otherwise is a most admirable development.)
When I asked one of the workmen what the building is being renovated for, he vaguely answered “stores”. (I don’t think he knew anything more definite.)
While the conversion of the old building into anything theatrical or cinematic remains a long shot, I was encouraged by the name of the development company that was provided on the placard that provided some of the details of the work – the name is “Imperial”.
Since the renovation should be completed soon, we should get a better idea of what actually will take place here in the very near future.
Well if they couldn’t save the Ridgewood for performing arts center, don’t see how they could this. That said, the RKO Madison (now the Liberty Department Store), the old balcony is fully intact, and in pretty good condition. Plaster walls, plaster ceiling, and the top of the old Proscenium arch is all still there above the drop ceiling of the store. It would probably be possible to restore the balcony for theatrical use, they would just have to put a solid ceiling/floor in place of the fake drop ceiling over the store the theater currently has. I have seen other theaters where the orchastra level was converted to retail with the old balcony still used for theater purposes.
In passing through Bushwick yesterday, I noticed that the old theater is – or will soon be – undergoing renovation. The signs placed outside the building indicate that it will be re-modeled for retail purposes. When I called the firm whose number was listed on the sign, they verified this fact but could not identify any specific businesses that would be located here. It appears that the landlord will rent the space out to interested businesses as soon as the place is suitable for its new occupancy. Since this building housed a Robert Hall’s clothing store for a number of years after it ceased being a movie house, this type of development makes some sense – though I would certainly prefer a return to a more theatrical use. (Given the dramatic changes that have recently occurred in Bushwick, the opening of a new theater would certainly fill a need.) Anyhow, this is still a most welcome development in contrast to the site’s most recent use as a warehouse – as is certainly preferable to its demolition. Let’s see what happens.
Thanks robboehm for the photo; this is the same picture that was posted some time ago but then suddenly vanished. Hopefully, it will be featured at the top of this treater’s main page.
John I uploaded a picture of the Imperial from “Old NYC Photos”
I was able to visit this site yesterday. Not only does the old building look in pretty good shape but the site is now being advertized as being for lease. This could provide an opportunity for the new arty community in Bushwick to secure a very interesting venue. As it appears that the old theater has not been altered, this could make for a very promising situation. Let’s see what – if anything – happens.
I just noticed that the wonderful old picture of this theater has somehow disappeared from the photo section. What gives??
There is an old photo of the Imperial Theater at http://www.oldnycphotos.com and click on bush wick where you can find a photo of the original thither w/ marquee, et. al. on about page 4 or 5. There are photos of other theaters from this neighborhood as well.
I just wanted to second Bway on the real beauty of the old photo. Was this, by any chance, taken as part of NYC’s project, in the late 1930’s, to take a picture of all of its buildings? Again, thanks to whomever for this great addition.
What a wonderful old photo of this theater was added!!! Is there a way to get emails when people add a photo of a theater like we get the email updates when someone adds a comment? I just randomly clicked on this theater and saw the photos added!!!
It appears the old Imperial Theater now operates as a warehouse, judging by this google street view:
Click Link Here
An article that I recently wrote, linked below, discusses a number of old Bushwick movie houses, including the Imperial. In addition to the text, the article contains an excellent slide show, which the staff of the wonderful BushwickBk blog assembled.
Hope you enjoy it.
View link
No, unfortunately you have to go to their CHambers St location to do this. I know someone that did…and it’s all there, but you have to do it there. It also helps if you have the section, lot, and block when you go there for whatever you want to see the 1930’s photos of, although you don’t have to, they have books there. But it would save you a lot of time. Block and lot numbers can be gotten from their website. You just type in an address, and it will give you the block and lot. It’s all organized by block numbbers.
Too bad there are no vintage photos.
If someone ever gets to the Municipal archieves on Chambers St, they have photos of all the properties in NY taken in the 1930’s and again in the 1980’s. They are available for purchase online, however, if you go in person, you can print photos on their printer. Not as good as a real photo, but at least it’s affordable (they charge like 10 cents or something per print page).
Thanks for the picture, which provides a recent view of this long closed theater. It would be great if a real vintage picture of the Imperial in its cinematic hayday could also be posted.
Thanks for the update!
The building is officially off of the market and currently in the last stage of being sold. From what I know the building will remain as it is and be utilized as a storage warehouse. I was kind of hoping someone would restore it to its former glory but at least it isn’t being torn down or turned into condos!
Blondie10, has anyone expressed any interest in this site? Hope you have some good news to share.
Thanks so much! Yeah, it certainly looks more like a factory than a theater it once was, but it probably wasn’t all that ornate to begin with, even when it was a theater. It has the high ceilings, etc still though from what it appears, and would be fairly easy to convert back to a theater use, which probably would be good for the community. Some of the performance groups, musical groups, art groups, etc are performing out of converted storefront/loft space, so this probably would be a step up for many of them.
Here are 14 pictures of the interior…it still looks like a factory, but will be cleaned out very soon.
View link
This would be wonderful if this theater may be able to be brought back to theater use. With all going on in Bushwick culturally lately, it seems like it would be a good use….for performance space, musical groups, artsy movies, etc.
Blondie, it would be great if you could get some photos of the inside!
John, I’m actually an Agent for the Brokerage that is listing this property, if you are interested in purchasing please email me @ , and I would be glad to foward you more details about it.
Blondie10, I referred to your recent post on the BushwickBk.Com web site, which is hopefully attached. Perhaps the owner may wish to reach out to this site.
http://bushwickbk.com/forum/index.php?
board=31;action=display;threadid=19658