To member Jacker: I wrote you an e-mail since I’m interested in assisting you, but it was returned as undeliverable. Please clarify your e-mail address. Looking forward to working with you!
*In regard to this matter, it is best to correspond through e-mail, rather than on a forum that is open to the public. Those interested should post their e-mails here. I’ll start…
I lend my heart to all preservationists who have worked hard throughout the years to save this irreplaceable gem from the wrecking ball. Bless you! I beg City Council and the people responsible for placing a bulldozer on that property, NOT to let this happen!!! It would be a huge tragedy! Reopen it & see the smile on faces of countless enthusiasts.
Please share some more specifics. Michael Magnan of D. Magnan & Co. Inc, might be able to assist you, particularly with building a ticket booth from scratch. Does it involve mosaics by any chance? They are a member of the Nat'l Terazzo Mosaic Association (NTMA). I spoke with them briefly, but never had a chance to follow through with my goal as of yet. Their contact info is:
D. Magnan & Co.
32 Cortlandt Street
Mount Vernon, NY 10550
Tel: 914-664-0700
Fax: 914-664-4499
You may also wish to contact ArtKraft Strauss, a company that has been around since 1897. They have produced illuminated signs in Times Sq throughout the decades & are also known for building and restoring marquees of numerous noteworthy theaters. Follow their website for more info:
Thought you might like to read the following letter to the editor of the Queens Chronicle, entitled “Trylon For All” & published May 11th:
Dear Editor:
In response to the April 27 letter to the editor by Dave Shlakman of Howard Beach, titled “Trylon Case,†numerous preservationists and residents who are advocating for landmark status for the Trylon Theater have attended movies there. Besides nostalgia, the dominant reason for our initiative is the rare and distinctive art deco/art moderne architectural features the Trylon Theater exhibits. It is an anchor of Queens Boulevard and Forest Hills and a great representation of 1939 World’s Fair history.
While it is true that owners have the authority to make alterations to a structure that is not landmarked, the Landmarks law grants us every right to continue encouraging the Landmarks Preservation Commission to designate worthwhile buildings like the Trylon, and others that merit preservation throughout the five boroughs. That is the beauty of it.
Occupancy by the Education Center for Russian Jewry is commendable, but we are baffled as to why the center didn’t find it viable to preserve some of the most significant elements (present in the entrance pavilion), which included the Trylon adorned mosaic ticket booth, and the terrazzo/mosaic inlaid floor that also depicted a 3D mirror image of the Trylon Monument, accompanied by chevrons.
The floor is present, but in jeopardy of being masked by generic tile or cement. It has been proven in many scenarios that older buildings can be “adaptively reused†with a preservation minded strategy. Although the ticket booth is gone, it still is “economically viable†to preserve what remains.
The Trylon will be a center that offers social programs, so the whole community should work cohesively. The 1939 World’s Fair fostered social and cultural change that led to the arrival of immigrants in America. Do we “educate†attendees of the Education Center by erasing a part of their heritage? If this neighborhood trend continues, what values do we hope to instill in our children?
We are grateful for the 1,600 people who signed our petition and those who care about our community. There are some aspects of every community that should be here to stay, and the Trylon Theater is one of many in Forest Hills and Rego Park, while accommodating it to a newer use.
Michael Perlman, chairman,
Committee To Save The Trylon Theater,
Forest Hills
URGENT ALERT: A BUYER FOR THE 1921 HISTORIC RAYMOND THEATRE IS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY, OR IT WILL BE DEMOLISHED VERY SHORTLY. WE DO NOT WANT THIS RARE GEM TO BE DEMOLISHED. PLEASE CHECK THE HOMEPAGE FOR MORE INFO. THANK YOU!
The unique glazed blue brick and glass facade was sadly concealed with white stucco. It resembles a blank canvas. What an eyesore! The last time I passed it, which was about 2 months ago, the marquee was still present. I’m not sure whether movies are still being shown.
My heart goes out to all those involved in the incredible restoration of the Cerrito Theater!!! If only the same was happening at the moment to the Trylon Theater in Forest Hills, NY, which was intact, but is now undergoing profound alterations because of greed! The Cerrito restoration photos and plans do shed light on other theaters that can make a complete turn-around. Good luck!!!
The Trylon entrance pavilion’s ticket booth might be gone & the mosaic floor is in the process of being covered over, but the remainder of the exterior is not gone.
CM Katz’s flip-flop of decisions is particularly disturbing in the Trylon case, since she opposed landmarking, then publicly stated her support, and then said she never felt it was suitable. She made no effort to encourage the LPC to calendar it. LPC won’t act without strong political support.She has the power, since she’s the Chair of Land Use. How can an elected official choose to suit her own interests, and mislead her constituents rather than serve them?
The Committee To Save The Trylon Theater & the community communicated. It was Melinda Katz who failed (to meet after promising, respond to letters, etc)! The effort isn’t over. Will her lack of intervention in this scenario be an obstacle in other neighborhood preservation efforts? Let’s continue to bond together for the benefit of the community, and not let this happen. “Power to the people!!!!!”
Please voice your frustrations to CM Katz: .ny.us
Send carbon copies to James McClelland (her comm. affairs rep): .ny.us
Carbon copy Committee To Save The Trylon:
Please tell Robert Tierney of the Landmarks Commission to reconsider his decision, and at least grant the Trylon a hearing to determine its status: .gov, .gov, .gov, and copy on all correspondences.
Hi mns2lv4ever! Welcome to Cinema Treasures. I would like to communicate with you via e-mail. I knew just about every manager at the Trylon Theater from the 80’s until it closed its doors in 1999. I knew Mary, Elizabeth, Marie, Julie, etc. Maybe I knew you.
Yes, the recent turn of events is a shame. I coordinated The Committee To Save The Trylon Theater to try to have it landmarked & preserve what’s remaining.
Hi mns2lv4ever! Welcome to Cinema Treasures. I would like to communicate with you via e-mail. I knew just about every manager at the Trylon Theater from the 80’s until it closed its doors in 1999. I knew Mary, Elizabeth, Marie, Julie, etc. Maybe I knew you.
Yes, the recent turn of events is a shame. I coordinated The Committee To Save The Trylon Theater to try to have it landmarked & preserve what’s remaining.
Even though the Trylon was turned down (“It doesn’t meet the LPC’s criteria for landmarking”), we will continue to apply pressure on the LPC & CM Katz. Our consensus is that the remaining exterior features of the Trylon are distinctive enough to merit landmark status. Anything to the contrary is a violation of the landmarks law.
The following article is from the March 30th Times NewsWeekly. I just noticed it online. It features the March 23rd Juniper Park Civic Association meeting when Mayor Bloomberg was presented “man of the year,” and documents my speech on behalf of Committee To Save The Trylon.
LostMemory – It is true that all demolitions of landmarked properties have to be approved. It is extremely rare that they grant the approval to completely demolish a landmarked building. Most demolitions are alterations that they feel won’t destroy a structure’s historical or architectural integrity.
Al – Thank you for the future invite!!! I hope all goes well, and hope I’m able to assist you down the line.
“I have found a number of theaters across the country that were listed on the Nation Register of Historical Places and they have been demolished. Landmarking the Ridgewood theater is no guarantee for its survival."
– Posted by Lost Memory on Apr 20, 2006 at 9:19am
Getting a theater nominated for placement on the National Register of Historical Places only assists the theater owner with funds with the owner’s consent, but does not prevent it from being demolished. The Nat'l Reg is a useful resource. However, a designation by the Landmarks Preservation Commission does safeguard the theater from being demolished. It is of utmost importance to apply as much pressure as possible on the LPC to landmark the interior & exterior.
Having the interior landmarked would assure that the interior remains intact, & minimizes the concept of a chain store being the new owner. It would be seen more viable as a theater. I haven’t seen too many intact interiors with chain stores being the tenant. The Meserole is a unique case, although I’m not completely content with it. With that being said, the LPC needs to be pressured as much as possible!!!
Thank you for re-posting KenRoe’s photos, Bway. Since I don’t live near the Ridgewood Theatre, can someone who lives nearby, please post several views of the interior? Shots of the drywall would come in handy as well, showing how it meets the historical features which are visible outright. Thanks!
Another Cinema Treasures member, Jim Rankin, recommended Conrad Schmitt Studios who has worked on restoring numerous historic theaters. Their website is www.conradschmitt.com Their work is breathtaking! We should start making some considerations as early as possible, & continue to back up the plans with community officials. We’re doing great so far! :–)
The point you made is very true concerning the possibility of the Ridgewood Theatre becoming a “CVS with a nice landmarked entrance.” Landmarking an exterior is great, but it’s the interior of the theater that puts the icing on the cake & makes it complete. Wherever applicable, the interior should be restored. The staff of the Landmarks Preservation Commission should smarten up, & the interior should be landmarked too. In general, I’m sick & tired of hearing their blunt, vague statements, i.e. “It doesn’t meet the commission’s criteria,” with no further explanation. Getting through to the LPC is like pulling teeth! There is MUCH hope for the interior!!!
The following links contain lots of helpful advice for owners/non-profits who hope to restore their theaters (e.g. grants, tax credit, technical assistance, etc).
We all know as a fact that the exterior of the Ridgewood Theatre is primarily intact. The interior might have many original architectural elements concealed beneath sheetrock or paneling.
Take the Elmwood Theatre for example. The interior was altered beyond recognition, & now the occupant (Rock Community Church) hired some of the top architects & contractors to restore this 1928 gem: /theaters/1942/ The link contains contact info for the Rock Community Church, if anyone wishes to speak with them for tips. They’re restoring the multiplexed auditorium to one auditorium & revealing the ‘28 medieval castle-like decor. That definitely sheds some light!!!
Can someone please post various shots of the interior of the Ridgewood Theatre? Thanks! – Michael
To member Jacker: I wrote you an e-mail since I’m interested in assisting you, but it was returned as undeliverable. Please clarify your e-mail address. Looking forward to working with you!
*In regard to this matter, it is best to correspond through e-mail, rather than on a forum that is open to the public. Those interested should post their e-mails here. I’ll start…
I lend my heart to all preservationists who have worked hard throughout the years to save this irreplaceable gem from the wrecking ball. Bless you! I beg City Council and the people responsible for placing a bulldozer on that property, NOT to let this happen!!! It would be a huge tragedy! Reopen it & see the smile on faces of countless enthusiasts.
To member Calc:
Please share some more specifics. Michael Magnan of D. Magnan & Co. Inc, might be able to assist you, particularly with building a ticket booth from scratch. Does it involve mosaics by any chance? They are a member of the Nat'l Terazzo Mosaic Association (NTMA). I spoke with them briefly, but never had a chance to follow through with my goal as of yet. Their contact info is:
D. Magnan & Co.
32 Cortlandt Street
Mount Vernon, NY 10550
Tel: 914-664-0700
Fax: 914-664-4499
You may also wish to contact ArtKraft Strauss, a company that has been around since 1897. They have produced illuminated signs in Times Sq throughout the decades & are also known for building and restoring marquees of numerous noteworthy theaters. Follow their website for more info:
www.artkraft.com/about.html
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to e-mail me at Hope this helps!
Thought you might like to read the following letter to the editor of the Queens Chronicle, entitled “Trylon For All” & published May 11th:
Dear Editor:
In response to the April 27 letter to the editor by Dave Shlakman of Howard Beach, titled “Trylon Case,†numerous preservationists and residents who are advocating for landmark status for the Trylon Theater have attended movies there. Besides nostalgia, the dominant reason for our initiative is the rare and distinctive art deco/art moderne architectural features the Trylon Theater exhibits. It is an anchor of Queens Boulevard and Forest Hills and a great representation of 1939 World’s Fair history.
While it is true that owners have the authority to make alterations to a structure that is not landmarked, the Landmarks law grants us every right to continue encouraging the Landmarks Preservation Commission to designate worthwhile buildings like the Trylon, and others that merit preservation throughout the five boroughs. That is the beauty of it.
Occupancy by the Education Center for Russian Jewry is commendable, but we are baffled as to why the center didn’t find it viable to preserve some of the most significant elements (present in the entrance pavilion), which included the Trylon adorned mosaic ticket booth, and the terrazzo/mosaic inlaid floor that also depicted a 3D mirror image of the Trylon Monument, accompanied by chevrons.
The floor is present, but in jeopardy of being masked by generic tile or cement. It has been proven in many scenarios that older buildings can be “adaptively reused†with a preservation minded strategy. Although the ticket booth is gone, it still is “economically viable†to preserve what remains.
The Trylon will be a center that offers social programs, so the whole community should work cohesively. The 1939 World’s Fair fostered social and cultural change that led to the arrival of immigrants in America. Do we “educate†attendees of the Education Center by erasing a part of their heritage? If this neighborhood trend continues, what values do we hope to instill in our children?
We are grateful for the 1,600 people who signed our petition and those who care about our community. There are some aspects of every community that should be here to stay, and the Trylon Theater is one of many in Forest Hills and Rego Park, while accommodating it to a newer use.
Committee To Save The Trylon Theater,
Forest Hills
URGENT ALERT: A BUYER FOR THE 1921 HISTORIC RAYMOND THEATRE IS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY, OR IT WILL BE DEMOLISHED VERY SHORTLY. WE DO NOT WANT THIS RARE GEM TO BE DEMOLISHED. PLEASE CHECK THE HOMEPAGE FOR MORE INFO. THANK YOU!
Thank you, William!
The unique glazed blue brick and glass facade was sadly concealed with white stucco. It resembles a blank canvas. What an eyesore! The last time I passed it, which was about 2 months ago, the marquee was still present. I’m not sure whether movies are still being shown.
A hospital that could have been built someplace else, is slated to rise in its place. Extremely sad!
My heart goes out to all those involved in the incredible restoration of the Cerrito Theater!!! If only the same was happening at the moment to the Trylon Theater in Forest Hills, NY, which was intact, but is now undergoing profound alterations because of greed! The Cerrito restoration photos and plans do shed light on other theaters that can make a complete turn-around. Good luck!!!
Thank you for sharing the above photo, Robert!
The Trylon entrance pavilion’s ticket booth might be gone & the mosaic floor is in the process of being covered over, but the remainder of the exterior is not gone.
CM Katz’s flip-flop of decisions is particularly disturbing in the Trylon case, since she opposed landmarking, then publicly stated her support, and then said she never felt it was suitable. She made no effort to encourage the LPC to calendar it. LPC won’t act without strong political support.She has the power, since she’s the Chair of Land Use. How can an elected official choose to suit her own interests, and mislead her constituents rather than serve them?
The Committee To Save The Trylon Theater & the community communicated. It was Melinda Katz who failed (to meet after promising, respond to letters, etc)! The effort isn’t over. Will her lack of intervention in this scenario be an obstacle in other neighborhood preservation efforts? Let’s continue to bond together for the benefit of the community, and not let this happen. “Power to the people!!!!!”
Please voice your frustrations to CM Katz: .ny.us
Send carbon copies to James McClelland (her comm. affairs rep): .ny.us
Carbon copy Committee To Save The Trylon:
Please tell Robert Tierney of the Landmarks Commission to reconsider his decision, and at least grant the Trylon a hearing to determine its status: .gov, .gov, .gov, and copy on all correspondences.
Cumulatively, we’re up to 1600 signers. Please sign our ongoing online petition, if you haven’t already done so: www.petitiononline.com/Trylon/petition.html
Hi mns2lv4ever! Welcome to Cinema Treasures. I would like to communicate with you via e-mail. I knew just about every manager at the Trylon Theater from the 80’s until it closed its doors in 1999. I knew Mary, Elizabeth, Marie, Julie, etc. Maybe I knew you.
Yes, the recent turn of events is a shame. I coordinated The Committee To Save The Trylon Theater to try to have it landmarked & preserve what’s remaining.
Please e-mail Michael at
Hi mns2lv4ever! Welcome to Cinema Treasures. I would like to communicate with you via e-mail. I knew just about every manager at the Trylon Theater from the 80’s until it closed its doors in 1999. I knew Mary, Elizabeth, Marie, Julie, etc. Maybe I knew you.
Yes, the recent turn of events is a shame. I coordinated The Committee To Save The Trylon Theater to try to have it landmarked & preserve what’s remaining.
Please e-mail Michael at
Even though the Trylon was turned down (“It doesn’t meet the LPC’s criteria for landmarking”), we will continue to apply pressure on the LPC & CM Katz. Our consensus is that the remaining exterior features of the Trylon are distinctive enough to merit landmark status. Anything to the contrary is a violation of the landmarks law.
The following article is from the March 30th Times NewsWeekly. I just noticed it online. It features the March 23rd Juniper Park Civic Association meeting when Mayor Bloomberg was presented “man of the year,” and documents my speech on behalf of Committee To Save The Trylon.
View link
I appreciate it. Thank you very much for sharing them!!!
LostMemory – It is true that all demolitions of landmarked properties have to be approved. It is extremely rare that they grant the approval to completely demolish a landmarked building. Most demolitions are alterations that they feel won’t destroy a structure’s historical or architectural integrity.
Al – Thank you for the future invite!!! I hope all goes well, and hope I’m able to assist you down the line.
“I have found a number of theaters across the country that were listed on the Nation Register of Historical Places and they have been demolished. Landmarking the Ridgewood theater is no guarantee for its survival."
– Posted by Lost Memory on Apr 20, 2006 at 9:19am
Getting a theater nominated for placement on the National Register of Historical Places only assists the theater owner with funds with the owner’s consent, but does not prevent it from being demolished. The Nat'l Reg is a useful resource. However, a designation by the Landmarks Preservation Commission does safeguard the theater from being demolished. It is of utmost importance to apply as much pressure as possible on the LPC to landmark the interior & exterior.
Having the interior landmarked would assure that the interior remains intact, & minimizes the concept of a chain store being the new owner. It would be seen more viable as a theater. I haven’t seen too many intact interiors with chain stores being the tenant. The Meserole is a unique case, although I’m not completely content with it. With that being said, the LPC needs to be pressured as much as possible!!!
Thank you for re-posting KenRoe’s photos, Bway. Since I don’t live near the Ridgewood Theatre, can someone who lives nearby, please post several views of the interior? Shots of the drywall would come in handy as well, showing how it meets the historical features which are visible outright. Thanks!
Another Cinema Treasures member, Jim Rankin, recommended Conrad Schmitt Studios who has worked on restoring numerous historic theaters. Their website is www.conradschmitt.com Their work is breathtaking! We should start making some considerations as early as possible, & continue to back up the plans with community officials. We’re doing great so far! :–)
The point you made is very true concerning the possibility of the Ridgewood Theatre becoming a “CVS with a nice landmarked entrance.” Landmarking an exterior is great, but it’s the interior of the theater that puts the icing on the cake & makes it complete. Wherever applicable, the interior should be restored. The staff of the Landmarks Preservation Commission should smarten up, & the interior should be landmarked too. In general, I’m sick & tired of hearing their blunt, vague statements, i.e. “It doesn’t meet the commission’s criteria,” with no further explanation. Getting through to the LPC is like pulling teeth! There is MUCH hope for the interior!!!
The following links contain lots of helpful advice for owners/non-profits who hope to restore their theaters (e.g. grants, tax credit, technical assistance, etc).
The NY State Historic Preservation Office: http://nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo/
Preservation League of NY State: www.preservenys.org/funding.htm
NY Landmarks Conservancy: www.nylandmarks.org/
Nat'l Reg of Historic Places: www.cr.nps.gov/nr/
We all know as a fact that the exterior of the Ridgewood Theatre is primarily intact. The interior might have many original architectural elements concealed beneath sheetrock or paneling.
Take the Elmwood Theatre for example. The interior was altered beyond recognition, & now the occupant (Rock Community Church) hired some of the top architects & contractors to restore this 1928 gem: /theaters/1942/ The link contains contact info for the Rock Community Church, if anyone wishes to speak with them for tips. They’re restoring the multiplexed auditorium to one auditorium & revealing the ‘28 medieval castle-like decor. That definitely sheds some light!!!
Can someone please post various shots of the interior of the Ridgewood Theatre? Thanks! – Michael
My pleasure!!! Thanks! – Michael
The following website will assist you in forming a non-profit. It’s very imformative, & contains the necessary forms:
www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/nycbiz/html/starting/notforprofit.shtml
Thank you, Al!