Kings Theatre
1027 Flatbush Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11226
1027 Flatbush Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11226
86 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1,176 - 1,200 of 1,564 comments
It is highly unlikely that the BROOKLYN PARAMOUNT would be torn down, since Long Island University enjoys using the many offices that front the theatre, a feature that has caused more than one movie palace to enjoy an extended life. If only the KINGS had had such a feature to help it survive in easily restorable condition. No, demolition is not impossible for either, but it would have been nice even for rehab purposes to have rental spaces to gain needed revenue. Is there any space on the land of the KINGS to build at least a small office/residential/commercial building? IF so, then such should also be mentioned prominently in any proposal for the theatre. Modern rehabs usually also want added stage depth and rehersal areas among other new space requirements; does the KINGS' site allow for this? Could an adjacent site be acquired in a package deal to allow for such expansion, a method used with many other rehabed/restored theatres? It is all about making the real estate deal attractive to investors!
The Brooklyn Paramount is probably not in danger of being torn down, where as the Loew’s Kings may face the wrecking ball. Therefore, my efforts remain with the Loew’s Kings.
I was thinking that we may want to get our feet wet with the Paramount then go to the Kings. You see, the Paramount is supposedly in better condition, and probably an easier restoration job. This would be practice for when we revitalize the Kings. Also, assmuming they both open, the two largest theaters in Brooklyn would not be in competition with each other, but working together for concert dates.
Yesterday’s papers carried the story of the United Nations seeking a temporary (5 year minimum) home in Downtown Brooklyn. This brought to mind the need to house 2,700 employees that are now scattered around Manhattan and of course room/rooms suitable for the General Assembly.
So, I suggested that the U.N. consider the Brooklyn Paramount as home to the General Assembly. The adjoining buildings are of course owned by the same developer who plans to build the Nets Arena and the office/housing/shopping complex nearby. So, the U.N. could wind up occupying some of THAT new space. Who knows? Maybe Long Island Univerity has thought of reopening the Paramount as a theater, but if not, I would rather see it as the temporary home for the General Assembly than if it were cut up into classrooms.
However, when we stop to consider the accelerated pace of real estate development throughout Brooklyn (Yesterday, the NY City Council unanimously approved rezoning and development of the Williamsburg Waterfront), plus interest in the redevelopment of Coney Island is gaining strength, while the cruise ship industry makes ready to build piers on the Red Hook Waterfront and progress toward Brooklyn Bridge Park, etc. It’s obvious real estate billionaires are profoundly interested in the revitalization of Brooklyn!!
Hopefully, they’re thinking, as we’re thinking about the revitalization of the Loew’s Kings as THE KINGS COUNTY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS.
Absolutly, you do the best you can from old photos, blueprints,and speak with as many people as you can find who knew what how the theatre looked originaly,then you can go out there and save the ole girl. Warren is quite correct, the owners were very respectful of the theatre and kept an eye on their investment. I remember speaking with the owner before it was sold, and he spoke of the joy of owning what he described as a magnificent structure. The new owners have spent a lot of money and had many people helping to bring the theatre back to it’s former self. I urge everyone who can go and see the theatre even if just to visit, bring the kids because they will may never see the likes of it again. LONG LIVE THE KINGS!
We may not have to be that faithful either. There may be some items that can’t be found or repaired. However, close is better thatn nothing.
As far as a meeting, I will need names and phone numbers to arrange for a convenient time. They can be sent to
For those that missed it, the City Section of the Sunday NY Times featured an article with photograph of the St. George. Incredibly, the cost of restoration was one million dollars. Unfortunately, we’ll not be able to restore the Loew’s Kings without an extra $34 mm (give or take a few)
Theaterat,I hope your visit was post December 2004, most of the work had been completed by then and the results are rather spectacular. The theatre celebrated it’s 75th anniversary in December.
Visit the website at www.stgeorgetheatre.com
We have a theater in Patchogue. After its restoration the town was restored around it.
Vito….Was in Staten Island not too long ago. The theater I was refering to was in fact the ST. George, not the Paramount. Anyway it was open and they were getting ready for a recital or something. I asked the person at the door if I could go in and look around. They said “Sure, enjoy yourself”. The theater was very impressive, and it seemed to be in good condition. It reminded me of a theater I was in in Chicago some years back( sorry, I forgot the name).Another perfect example of a “saved” theater, Staten Island is a better place due to it. This is a perfect example on how the great Loews Kings can be re developed!
Theatrerat, You mention the Paramount and St George theatres on Staten Island. They are both listed on Cinema Treasures and I have made a few comments on both. The St.George has been beautifully resored and is currently working as a live show venue with classic movies planned for later on. As for the Paramount, sadly, I think it’s a dead issue, it was sold recently to a developer who has plans that do not include saving it as a theatre. I recently visited the Paramount and was brought to tears by it’s current condition. If you get a chance to see the St George, I think you will be pleased.
I live in Holtsville, Long Island, LIE Exit 62
Good luck on your new ride Gustavelifting! Looking foward to meeting you( and Bruce 1 and others} if a meeting ever gets scheduled. By the way Gustavelifting, where do you live? I live in the Dyker Park section of Brooklyn, not too far from the Belt Parkway and Fort Hamilton.
Well, I just got my new ride. I should be able to make it. The question is when will Bruce 1 be ready?
Gustavelifting… Good luck on contacting the JERSEY. I did that 5 weeks ago by writingb to the president, but she never returned my letter. I even sent a SASE. I would like to give her name on line, but I am not sure if I should.I read Jim Rankins posting and he has some good ideas. I will try to contact the Raymond and the ST.George Paramount in Staten Island myself.Still ready for that meeting!
Since that posting moments ago I have E-Mailed other theaters that, according to this site, were designed by Rapp and Rapp. They were the Loew’s Jersey, Al Ringling, and Adler Theaters. I will keep you posted.
Guys;
Here is the latest on the Raymond. I contacted them, let’s see what happens. Will they contact me back? That’s the important question. If they don’t, will any of you be willing to also try and contact them?
Bruce 1;
I will try to contact the Raymond Theatre again. By the way, maybe we should just call it the Brooklyn Kings Performing Arts Center. Of course I don’t know, but if you put their name in some people may think you’re pandering.
I sense your pain and frustration, Bruce1; we all want to see it become a beautiful theatre once again, but, no, there are no guarantees, regardless of all the good will and effort you have put in. The reason I mention landmarking that may only preserve the exterior, is that it may likely discourage those who simply want to demolish or gut the interior, because demolition would be prohibited, and gutting or drastically altering the interior would likely entail changes to the facade also for structural reasons. Since this would be expensive to adapt a new interior to existing windows, steel, ornament, etc., a nefarious developer would be daunted by the expense involved since a theatre exterior is nothing like a factory, condos, or offices, for example. Thus your landmarking would not only show the merit of the building in the eyes of the good people who might restore it, but it would dim the appeal of the place in the eyes of those who only want to wreck it.
Theatrat: If you want input from the Jersey, I strongly suggest that you join their group and befriend a MAN at their meetings who seems able to guide you in the process of landmarking or rehabbing as they did the Jersey. The woman in charge may now see herself as too powerful and occupied with other matters to devote time to help you. If you can get a guy interested there, then perhaps he and some buddies will be willing to take a jaunt to Brooklyn to check out the KINGS and see what can be done, but they will likely expect you and
Bruce1 as well as Gustave and others to have met at least once before they will meet with you so that they can know just who they are talking to. If it turns out that more than one individual or group approaches the Friends of the Jersey, they may feel that their time is being wasted by too many unconnected people. You must meet and at least set up an informal group before anyone will take you seriously. I write in advocacy of movie palaces here in Milwaukee, but I have no influence upon local movers and shakers (money men) because I have no group behind me, no official standing. My advice is cheap, but money men want a realistic estimate as to what the return on their investment will be, or if they are independently wealthy, like the millionaire who bought the PABST THEATER here from the city in order to gain historic prestige, then such will buy prestige more than an investment, since theatres RARELY make lots of money and they are EXPENSIVE to keep up. Thus the appeal of the ‘Friends of the KINGS’ must be to money men who (1) adore theatres, or (2) seek a public scale project by which to buy adoration for themelves, though they would never put it that way.
Do you know your big wigs in the area well enough to have an intermidiary approach them? A good place to look is in the Directory of Foundations at the library which will give you their names, if not their addresses. Foundations are started by such men to avoid taxes, and also have a staff to shield the big wig from the many people who solicit money every day, so your approach to a Foundation may be rebuffed (especially if your approach is only emotional and lacking in required research and a sound re-use proposal), or they may end up giving you only a tiny fraction of what you need to redo the KINGS. Most foundations are now targeted to social causes, not architectural preservation, so carefully note the goals/causes of a foundation and approach them ONLY in harmony with what you perceive they want and will give to. Such a directory (there are several) will show to what causes a foundation has given, what their giving limits are in their fiscal year, what restrictions they have on their gifts, and how you are required to approach them. Realistically, very few such give more than a million to a single cause, and many much less, so they will be looking to see if you are approaching others to make up the difference to do what needs to be done. Few will give anything if it appears that Friends of the KINGS is unincorporated as a non-profit, has no realistic program at least suggested, no big names on their board, no special bank account in which they could deposit a foundation check, and the intention that just this one foundation should bear the entire multimillion cost of the restoration. Local charities may be able to advise you as to realistic contributors, but Friends of the JERSEY may not be a realistic help in this regard, since the laws of New Jersey may well be quite different than those of New York. Under the search term FOUNDATIONS DIRECTORY, www.Google.com lists some 3 million ‘hits’ and perhaps this will be of help to you. Best Wishes.
Proposals no.3 thru no. 7 ( especially no.3 and 4 } are absolutely terrifying!Boes Brooklyn REALLY need another schlock outlet center?Anyway Bruce 1, you show a good sense of humor!Think I will stick with “Theaterat”.
Dear Jim,
If landmarking will do little more than protect the ORIGINAL exterior, big deal! My problem is that I have done so much homework and learned so much about what the developers are doing in the area of the Kings that this had allowed me to speculate what a developer might do?? Everyone who hears my logic, thinks I’m on the right track. However, what if I’m wrong? What if these developers are so greedy that they want the whole square block and don’t care about an aging movie palace?
I have the right contacts, but perhaps they are not telling me what they’re really thinking? Perhaps they have nefarious intentions? I just don’t know, but what I do know is that the Brooklyn Water – front is red hot. Developers are developing every square inch. I also know that Inner-Brooklyn has been getting a major face lift and the Kings could be next! The surrounding neighborhood has been on the comeback for a number of years and the timing seems to be right, but then again, I’m not in the billionaires inner circle and I don’t know what they are actually planning!
Just the same, one thing for sure, EDC is definitely making their preparations and preparing to put Loew’s Kings back on the auction block-RFP and that will happen very soon!
Loew’s Kings could become:
1-The Kings County Center for the Performing Arts
2-The Sears Flatbush Center for the Performing Arts
3-The Trump Theater for the Performing Arts and Hair Club For Men Center
4-The Streisand Center
5-The Lords of Flatbush Center – starring Sylvester Stallone and Henry Winkler (They were both ushers at the Loew’s Kings)
6-The Ben Vereen Center – Ben’s mother was a ‘char’ woman at the Kings
7-Who know??? The Flatbush Outlet Mall and Discount Shlock Center
Theaterat: I believe that the masculine singular of ‘theaterati’ is Theaterato, and I beleive they would allow you to change to that if you wish.
Bruce1, Jim Rankin,… Since there is nothing yet, landmarking seems like at least one option to save this theater. Having it being used as an arts center, that is having community theater, lectures, concerts, revivals of classic films and the like are ideas that must be considered. These need to be discussed at a meeting. I have mentioned the Loewa Jersey as a reference point. This “wonder theater” was saved by community action and preservationists. I have written to the president of the Jersey explaining to her that a similiar effort may begin in Brooklyn, but I got no response.There may be interest on the part of community and local civic groups to back us, but, again a meeting must be held so a “battle plan” of some sort can be formed. I guess that if enough people..myself included can write to the presidents or other officers of “saved” theaters prehaps they can be of some assistance. Even if a big money man like Donald Trump does want to get involved-this seems highly unlikely- there is always the matter of ego.I realize that the situations and other considerations that saved classic theaters in other parts of the country are different from those in NY, but finding the proper channels and getting some form of organization are what WILL save the Kings.As I have said before, it is a shame that Brooklyn- the 4th largest city in America has less than 13 operating theaters.PS Bruce 1… My original handle was to be “THeaterati” but I messed it up and it came out as “Theaterat” I like the sound of it!
Generally, it is beneficial to get landmark status, even though that almost never preserves much beyond ORIGINAL exterior. Landmarking can at least stop the quick buck guys who buy an historic structure, and then quickly resell it to someone who has no intention to preserve it, but intends to demolish it to build something else. For what protections one can depend upon with landmarking, one must consult one’s Historic Preservation officer at the state house, a real estate attorney, or the League of Historic American Theatres for information relative to one’s own state’s laws, since the federal and local laws are administered under the state’s.
The only downside to landmarking is that many buyers are really interested in the potential land value of the property and want the option to remodel or demolish as they wish in future, so will not buy a landmarked property. But would we want them to own such a landmark worthy structure? Landmarking also shows potential buyers that the property is considered worthy by experts and the public alike, and many money men wouldn’t know artistic or historic significance if it came up and bit them; they need to be guided by such as Landmark Designation to see where they can put their money and thereby buy some public stature. Many money men already own dozens of properties, but they want the ‘feather in their cap’ of being known for also owning a prestegious structure worthy of being designated a landmark, and promoters of a landmark must be willing to allow the change of name to such as ‘money man’s theatre’ or whatever his name is, to entice such large egos to invest in a theatre. For example, if Donald Trump were to be invited, one would have to expect to massage his ego by allowing him to name it the TRUMP THEATRE. You cannot expect big money to be humble in this country where money is god and king.
Gustav—nobody from the Raymond ever got in touch. Please try them again!
Theaterat—“Theate-Rat”?? Is that how you got your ‘handle’? Well, fear not there are no rats in the Loew’s Kings! There’s nothing there to eat. However, some years ago, I do recall hearing a rustling sound and that’s when we threw a projector reel. At the time, homeless people were hiding out, so who knows it might have been them. These guys did manage to steal some sconces and the brass banister and even a large swath of carpet from the mezzanine. (Probably was used to carpet their little shack just behind the theater.) All of the above happened DURING EDC’s watch!!!
I’ve been thinking about trying to get the theater landmarked, but can’t decide if that’s a good idea or not. If we attempt to do this, could that totally discourage any developer?