Uploaded photos from the early stages of construction.
According to one report the delays were caused by the inability to complete the exterior due to weather issues. As of mid January they were only able to start addressing the interior.
Interesting sidelight, the original Lynbrook theater was only 23,000 square feet.
Mike, they totally leveled the old building. It would have been nice if they had incorporated the facade into the new as they did with a couple of reconstructed Broadway theaters. For whatever reasons the new is still under construction way past the Fall 2017 and March 2018 target dates, although they now have hiring ads.
The village planning board has approved a proposal for the rebuilding of the theater with a projected cost of $6 million. A public hearing will be held on April 12th. Under the plan the facade of the old theater will be replicated using the refurbished neon sign. The auditorium will be split in two with seating of 200 and 100. Additional footage will be added to the second and third floors. The second floor will be the home to a 49 seat screening/class room. A grand staircase will connect the floors and there will be a ground floor cafe.
The non-profit Harbor Partnership purchased the building for $8 million earlier this year.
The one in Lake Ronkonkoma, NY was also single screen. The other two Long Island locations in Massapequa Park and East Meadow were twins. The latter hung on for a long time as an independent.
In 1944 15 year old Alberta Schenck,an usher at the Dream, was fired from her job and jailed for standing up against the theater’s segregated seating and discrimination policies. Her story influenced the passage of the 1945 Anti-Discrimination Act in Alaska which predated the passage of the United States Civil Rights Act of 1964 by almost 20 years.
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.
Uploaded photos from the early stages of construction.
According to one report the delays were caused by the inability to complete the exterior due to weather issues. As of mid January they were only able to start addressing the interior.
Interesting sidelight, the original Lynbrook theater was only 23,000 square feet.
Texas glad you found a photo. I’ve been trying for some time.
Mike, they totally leveled the old building. It would have been nice if they had incorporated the facade into the new as they did with a couple of reconstructed Broadway theaters. For whatever reasons the new is still under construction way past the Fall 2017 and March 2018 target dates, although they now have hiring ads.
Originally built by Prudential and probably made the transition to UA.
Added a photo showing building modifications when a boat dealer.
It started as 1,2,3 and wound up as 4,6,8 even tho' there were eight auditoriums? I don’t get the name.
The village planning board has approved a proposal for the rebuilding of the theater with a projected cost of $6 million. A public hearing will be held on April 12th. Under the plan the facade of the old theater will be replicated using the refurbished neon sign. The auditorium will be split in two with seating of 200 and 100. Additional footage will be added to the second and third floors. The second floor will be the home to a 49 seat screening/class room. A grand staircase will connect the floors and there will be a ground floor cafe.
The non-profit Harbor Partnership purchased the building for $8 million earlier this year.
The one in Lake Ronkonkoma, NY was also single screen. The other two Long Island locations in Massapequa Park and East Meadow were twins. The latter hung on for a long time as an independent.
Photo shows building shared with Subway. Can’t find a photo featuring the theater entrance.
Uploaded a photo showing damage to the theater from a 1913 storm.
In 1944 15 year old Alberta Schenck,an usher at the Dream, was fired from her job and jailed for standing up against the theater’s segregated seating and discrimination policies. Her story influenced the passage of the 1945 Anti-Discrimination Act in Alaska which predated the passage of the United States Civil Rights Act of 1964 by almost 20 years.
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.