Loew's Canal Theatre
31 Canal Street,
New York,
NY
10002
31 Canal Street,
New York,
NY
10002
24 people
favorited this theater
Showing 101 - 125 of 148 comments
Hi. I’m interested in this thread, because I’ve been trying to learn more about the mural on the Ludlow side. It represents movie-going, among other things, and maybe it was created in the 1970s?, but it would correspond to the Ludlow side of the theatre. One of the pix I took last week is on Flickr here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wotba/2495866480/
Does anyone know about the mural or if the mural had anything to do with a commemoration of the theatre? It’s quite a bit larger than what you see here. I’m intrigued about what could still exist inside.
let me get all this straight.Even though the description above the main auditorium being used for storage or light mauufacturing, your opinion is that the main theater space with or without a lobby, has likely been compromised and no longer exists as a large open room.Do you then believe that every theater,except possibly the church re-use ones in harlem,are all gone or destroyed in new york city?
According to architectural blueprints in the Thomas Lamb archives, there was a rather significantly sized fan room housing electrical and mechanical equipment behind the Canal Street facade above the lobby entrance.
Just a question to warren.Would you think its fair to say that this theater may still be standing, having lucked out with a “luck of the draw” set of circumstances,to actually still be whole and not broken apart.If not here,where?
Warren,
The lobby actually has a high ceiling…probably 25 feet.
4Hope – the entire builing is still standing. The lobby is well worn, no idea what the state of the auditorium is – but it’s big!
If the interior auditorium exists in a manner that keeps the integrity of the original design,then the accustics will be in place,based on the assuption that the ceiling height is left in place.It is always the exterior(not finished internal dimensions)walls that determine the frequency response of any room.There original dimensions would have had a minimum of 50 foot ceilings.The interior sides were far enough apart to break up standing waves,and of course you had chairs and carpets for absorption.If the frame has been left intact,you very likely could have the largest untapped performance center in manhatten.With the bonus of the chinatown location,this could and should become a place for music.My question is,does the space still stand.
I’ve been told that what appears to be black-painted windows on the Canal Street facade is actually rare black terracotta tile.
“Side by side” it appears that the building has somewhat survived 80 plus years.Of course the “side by side” of the interior is unlikely to be as pretty.What makes this possibly different then so many of the destroyed theaters,especially in new york city, is a possibility that the size and shape of the space may have escaped retail,or church re use.Light manufacturing or storage may have spared this.Only a guess without a set of keys.4hope
Did you get inside the auditorium? What type of damage are you talking about? Did you take pictures?
Would love to hear more.
J
That poor theatre needs a lot of TLC, a community effort maybe? The work needed at this location is nothing to sneeze at…perhaps a little too much for my humble attempt.
I’m in awe over the structural beauty…but way too much damage for me to handle.
That area like most of new york city needs to find ways of encouraging artist development.If a beautiful old theater can transform the neighberhood in a positive way,everyone wins.
The non-profit organization in Chinatown looking to build an arts center in the neighborhood has been in discussions with VJHC about the site.
Interesting info….thanks Warren. : )
My idea…..if anyone is interested…..would be my way of sharing with the community. I’d restore it to it’s original beauty, and it would be the home of the NYC bellydance community….one of the most beautiful features of this divine city. I’ve got a big crowd cheering me on…no matter where my dream ends up.
ok,i understand that access and information will be rough.I also understand that the theater probably is gone.But…this may have slipped trough the cracks and may be able to be purchased.I will email you chinowitz,but i will do the first step.I just had a deal fall through in a theater in paducah,the columbia,which was amazing.Bottom line is that this theater has no history.Again,that area in the 70’s was not the nicest.I am gonna try to get in.The idea for a music theater with a recording studio is a no brainer,new york has nothing like that.It would be a live venue with only the control room of the studio.
I’m very interested in this baby….who do I contact to get a tour of the inside?
Anyone interested in meeting up outside the theater location? Possibly interested in opening up a musical theater with a recording studio. Or if for nothing else, to see if it still stands and in what condition.
Interesting. How reliable is your source? Did s/he quote a dollar figure?
Live in the area and I’m told it’s for sale now for condos, for big money. Hope not. Warren’s fotos are down I guess.
I just viewed blueprints and mechanicals for this theater at Columbia’s Avery Libary. They have two full sets of architectural drawings for this 2,313 seat tri-level theater showing specs and details of elaborate decorative plaster, grillwork, and terracotta; a copper roof; skylights; a marquee naming it Loew’s Canal; etc. Truly magnificent. Hopefully some of these details still remain on the interior.
I originally thought the CANAL had closed in the mid-fifties but a CANAL theatre appears in an ad for TELEFON in the NYT in January 1978. Does anyone know the final closing date?
It appeared as if they were moving things in.
For years, the theater has been used as a warehouse. Hence all the moving around and forklifts from time to time. Did it look like it was being emptied out? If so, that could be an indication of something different.
I’ve walked by the last two morning and the back stage door entrance has been open with Chinese workers moving stuff in/around. Not really sure what is going on. Can’t really see much from the doorway and the workers didn’t speak any english. Will continue to enquire.
We went to the theater two weeks ago and the ABC store that occupied the former lobby was still closed. Somebody in a shop in front told that he went inside the auditorium some years ago and beautiful architecture is still there. If anybody has news or see something happening, we would be really interested to know !