From the NEW BRUNSWICK HISTORY DEPARTMENT: ORAL HISTORY ARCHIVES OF WW-II, this theater appeared to be a house that attracted a questionable clientele:
“there was that shaky little place at the corner of George and Albany. In fact, in later years, the Douglass girls were not allowed to go near that place”
This maps to the Bank of America building (1989), also known as The Golden Triangle Plaza. It was east of the Albany Theatre and very close to the Rivoli.
The Albany is the fourth building (including one empty lot) from the left of the building with the prominent windows (near the clover leaf) and behind the huge parking lot.
The Albany was located on the N (upper) side of Albany street which is the west – east road (left to right)in the photo. From your first posted photo, the Albany appears a few stores to the left of the one building left standing with the very prominent windows. J&J demolished the Albany along with the Rivoli which was located West (left) of the towers under construction where there are cars parked near the intersection of George Street. I believe that this parking lot has been turned into more scenic gardens today to cover up a parking deck.
The Rivoli can be seen in this photo on the right: View link
It was actually across the street from where the Bank of America is today. I believe that J&J owns this land now and it is part of their corporate headquarters.
“The Apollo Theatre on New York Avenue became the top legitimate theater in the city. Originally the Academy of Music, it was erected to house an equestrian show but remodeled into a theater in 1892. After two major fires, it was rebuilt of brick in 1908 as a pre-Broadway house, but in 1924 it was converted into a movie theater.”
Was the Hights Theater (listed on CT) a UA house? What is the Princeton UA house that you are referencing? Who is Elton John (the one that you are referencing)?
Oldest as in oldest building or oldest as in oldest in continuing operation?
Nice photo album:
View link
Nice photo album:
View link
Nice album:
http://community.webshots.com/album/58249940ODmbex
Small photo:
View link
Another recent photo:
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Old photo:
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Nice photos: http://www.metrolyricopera.org/2002DIRECTIONS.htm
1930 postcard:
View link
View link
Recent marquee photo
This photo shows the opening night marquee. If my eyes serve me correctly it states: GRAND OPENING TH NIGHT SEPT 14
(this corresponds to 1944 from an online perpetual calendar)
View link
From the NEW BRUNSWICK HISTORY DEPARTMENT: ORAL HISTORY ARCHIVES OF WW-II, this theater appeared to be a house that attracted a questionable clientele:
“there was that shaky little place at the corner of George and Albany. In fact, in later years, the Douglass girls were not allowed to go near that place”
NEW BRUNSWICK HISTORY DEPARTMENT:
ORAL HISTORY ARCHIVES OF WW-II
INTERVIEW WITH JAMES G. HANDFORD
“The Opera House burned down..”
Recent photos of architectural details:
View link
View link
If the Goggle mapping is correct, then this photo is the Strand, at the center of the photo at the NW corner of George & Albany:
View link
This maps to the Bank of America building (1989), also known as The Golden Triangle Plaza. It was east of the Albany Theatre and very close to the Rivoli.
The “before” picture of the same block:
View link
The Albany is the fourth building (including one empty lot) from the left of the building with the prominent windows (near the clover leaf) and behind the huge parking lot.
Another J&J photo:
View link
The Rivoli stood to the left of the towers under construction.
lm
thanks for this great site.
This photo pretty much sums it up:
View link
The Albany was located on the N (upper) side of Albany street which is the west – east road (left to right)in the photo. From your first posted photo, the Albany appears a few stores to the left of the one building left standing with the very prominent windows. J&J demolished the Albany along with the Rivoli which was located West (left) of the towers under construction where there are cars parked near the intersection of George Street. I believe that this parking lot has been turned into more scenic gardens today to cover up a parking deck.
You can see the J&J headquarters under expansion in this photo:
View link
The Rivoli stood at the top of the large cleared area approximately where there is a parking lot.
Nice old postcard (thanks to lostmemory for this website):
View link
The Rivoli can be seen in this photo on the right:
View link
It was actually across the street from where the Bank of America is today. I believe that J&J owns this land now and it is part of their corporate headquarters.
From The Encyclopedia of New Jersey p 802:
“The Apollo Theatre on New York Avenue became the top legitimate theater in the city. Originally the Academy of Music, it was erected to house an equestrian show but remodeled into a theater in 1892. After two major fires, it was rebuilt of brick in 1908 as a pre-Broadway house, but in 1924 it was converted into a movie theater.”
Was the Hights Theater (listed on CT) a UA house? What is the Princeton UA house that you are referencing? Who is Elton John (the one that you are referencing)?
Restoration information from the Rutgers student newspaper can be seen here.