Even as a single screen theater the decor was minimal. Creating three from one didn’t help. Maybe the place will have some character when the renovation is completed.
Comfortably, the “rule” is that the last name of a venue is the one listed. Exceptions seem to be the norm, however. Since all of the names on the site will give you access it doesn’t usually matter.
It has been announced that a new marquee costing $184,000 will be installed. $100,000 of this was a grant from the Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization program. My question is why since the current electronic marquee is elegant and understated.
Several years ago a million dollars was spent repairing the roof and replacing the 1,049 seats.
Reportedly the theater holds about 160 shows annually with 150,000 people in attendance.
Work is being completed on the renovation of the Babylon Cinemas which will now be known as The Argyle Theatre. At a cost of $3 million the father/son duo of Mark and Dylan Perlman have stripped out the walls which divided the space into three cinemas, dug an orchestra pit, built new support for the stage and added a three story structure in the rear to house dressing rooms, bathrooms and storage. Seating in the new playhouse has been reduced to 500.
Part of the cost was defrayed by a NY State grant of $150,000 and tax breaks by Babylon Town for $ 300,000.
The marquee proclaims:“ A new live performance venue will be opening in the Spring.”
To keep abreast of progress and programs, check the Facebook page which has been established.
There will be a public hearing on March 12, 2018 re amendment of the zoning to accommodate residential and retail on the site. The Board of Trustees indicates there is no environmental impact. So much of the Great Neck Estates meeting agendas are not readily available on line. Presume nothing has yet been decided on demo. Approval of the zoning change would seem to be the first step.
The main reason it’s ugly is the design. No amount of color can change that. Wait until you see the new Regal Lynbrook; a lot of color but twice as ugly.
Re the storefront theatres mentioned by Orlando way back when, the only time I was in this theatre was in one of those. Film was, I believe, A Death in Venice with Dirk Bogarde.
It is my understanding that before Natalie purchased the property it had been used as a garage. I remember reading that when she was doing renovations she came upon the old bathrooms. It took major digging to get the minimal information which appears on this site even going through the historical society. The second floor of Natalie’s property on Lake was the site of the original St. James Theater.
Surprise, surprise. We had a crippling snow and they didn’t close (yet). However, they didn’t update their website for showtimes past January 4th until I called them.
Movie buff – in this day and age 25 is old. Seems as though they are leveled around this time. The Brookhaven Multiplex on Long Island was history after 18 years; the Commack Multiplex made it a bit longer. The Green Acres, Sunrise and Patchogue Multiplexes were also leveled. Shore in Huntington and the Lynbrook and Southampton are tear down and rebuilds.
The Fantasy in Rockville Centre and the Roosevelt Field were gutted and rebuilt some years ago. To a large degree AMC did that with the Glen Cove this past year. Have to see what happens with the three older multiplexes, two in Farmingdale and the Regal Ronkonkoma. Westbury and Deer Park are less than a dozen years old.
vindanpar – the reality is Cinema Treasures is a preservation site of movie theaters. Grant you the number of treasures are in the minority but all hold treasured memories for someone.
studiobfl There is an RKO Keith’s in White Plains elsewhere on Cinema Treasures with a photo. It does not appear to be the same as the Colony building. That structure is listed as demolished.
Even as a single screen theater the decor was minimal. Creating three from one didn’t help. Maybe the place will have some character when the renovation is completed.
Comfortably, the “rule” is that the last name of a venue is the one listed. Exceptions seem to be the norm, however. Since all of the names on the site will give you access it doesn’t usually matter.
It has been announced that a new marquee costing $184,000 will be installed. $100,000 of this was a grant from the Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization program. My question is why since the current electronic marquee is elegant and understated.
Several years ago a million dollars was spent repairing the roof and replacing the 1,049 seats.
Reportedly the theater holds about 160 shows annually with 150,000 people in attendance.
The decay is progressing nicely. No signs of the renovation which was to be completed in 2017.
Work is being completed on the renovation of the Babylon Cinemas which will now be known as The Argyle Theatre. At a cost of $3 million the father/son duo of Mark and Dylan Perlman have stripped out the walls which divided the space into three cinemas, dug an orchestra pit, built new support for the stage and added a three story structure in the rear to house dressing rooms, bathrooms and storage. Seating in the new playhouse has been reduced to 500.
Part of the cost was defrayed by a NY State grant of $150,000 and tax breaks by Babylon Town for $ 300,000.
The marquee proclaims:“ A new live performance venue will be opening in the Spring.”
To keep abreast of progress and programs, check the Facebook page which has been established.
As per usual the cinema closed in February with a promise to reopen in the Spring, new heating system not withstanding.
There will be a public hearing on March 12, 2018 re amendment of the zoning to accommodate residential and retail on the site. The Board of Trustees indicates there is no environmental impact. So much of the Great Neck Estates meeting agendas are not readily available on line. Presume nothing has yet been decided on demo. Approval of the zoning change would seem to be the first step.
Let’s face it rayman, no theater built in the 21st century is a Treasure in anyway, from the exterior to the cookie cutter auditoriums.
The main reason it’s ugly is the design. No amount of color can change that. Wait until you see the new Regal Lynbrook; a lot of color but twice as ugly.
AMC has finally put their name on the Shore. Photos uploaded.
Re the storefront theatres mentioned by Orlando way back when, the only time I was in this theatre was in one of those. Film was, I believe, A Death in Venice with Dirk Bogarde.
It is my understanding that before Natalie purchased the property it had been used as a garage. I remember reading that when she was doing renovations she came upon the old bathrooms. It took major digging to get the minimal information which appears on this site even going through the historical society. The second floor of Natalie’s property on Lake was the site of the original St. James Theater.
Uploaded a 1925 photo from the Finger Lake Times.
Local historical society. Regional or county historical society.
Possibility they may remain open through the winter. They finally got a new heating system. Time will tell.
Surprise, surprise. We had a crippling snow and they didn’t close (yet). However, they didn’t update their website for showtimes past January 4th until I called them.
Movie buff – in this day and age 25 is old. Seems as though they are leveled around this time. The Brookhaven Multiplex on Long Island was history after 18 years; the Commack Multiplex made it a bit longer. The Green Acres, Sunrise and Patchogue Multiplexes were also leveled. Shore in Huntington and the Lynbrook and Southampton are tear down and rebuilds. The Fantasy in Rockville Centre and the Roosevelt Field were gutted and rebuilt some years ago. To a large degree AMC did that with the Glen Cove this past year. Have to see what happens with the three older multiplexes, two in Farmingdale and the Regal Ronkonkoma. Westbury and Deer Park are less than a dozen years old.
Facade appears in a recent TV Christmas movie. Can’t remember which one. It wasn’t a Prince for Christmas because that showed the Aurora.
College Point Multiplex is on CT as being in Flushing.
vindanpar – the reality is Cinema Treasures is a preservation site of movie theaters. Grant you the number of treasures are in the minority but all hold treasured memories for someone.
There were also masks at the Glen Oaks and, I think, the Argo. Don’t remember if they were at the York.
studiobfl There is an RKO Keith’s in White Plains elsewhere on Cinema Treasures with a photo. It does not appear to be the same as the Colony building. That structure is listed as demolished.
Why the name Alpine?
Nothing new to report.
Looks worse each time I pass.