The key issue for this theatre is planning, programming and marketing
Absolutely. Several years before John DeSane took over the theater, we sent out a mass mailing of the season’s schedule to about 1200 postal residents of Bovina, Andes, New Kingston, Dunraven, Margaretville, Arkville, Fleischmanns, Halcott Center, Pine Hill, and Phoenicia.
The pickup in traffic was immediately noticeable and carried us through the summer season.
Additionally, Jazz Impressario Hal Davis produced an annual jazz concert that always played to a full house…and it was always commented upon how remarkable the acoustics were.
The market is there and will come…if the ambience and programming are suitable.
Sorry, you need to go only to Catskill, N.Y. to find a theatre of “substance”. It’s 1500 sq. ft. stage is over 12% of the entire Fleischmanns' complex. It’s also for sale and I’ll be writing it up shortly. Anyway, good luck and I hope you get your asking price.
I’ve never been to the theater in Catskill so I stand corrected and eagerly look forward to reading your review. As a parenthetical aside, parts of Rt. 42 (the shortcut from Fleischmanns to Catskill) were washed out in the recent spring thaw, necessitating going down State Rt. 28 to Kingston…and then up the Thruway to Catskill.
By the way, I have no fiduciary interest in the Fleischmanns' Theater but did manage it for several years and served as both the projectionist and chief cook and bottle washer.
It’s a grand old building…but obviously could use some capital inflow as well as tender love and care to bring it up to speed.
I saw this theatre in 2002 and 2003 and I predict that at $445,000.00, this theatre will still be for sale many years from now. The only motel was converted into condo’s so I don’t think one could count on too many tourist’s admissions.
[b]As a point in fact, there are many motels in Fleischmanns…and several B & B’s as well. The Flagstone Inn to which you alluded is still operating as a motel, not as condos.
to: AGoodGuyInNY –
The Fleischmanns Theatre is NOT an Art Deco theatre. The exterior of the building is Not Art Deco. The marquee, which is not original to the structure, is Not Art Deco. The proscenium arch is Not Art Deco â€" its style is Empire.
The building itself is of no known architectural style. It was constructed of imported German block tile, and overlayed with a cement outer coating, and has steel truss construction.
I believe the marquee was original equipment to the theater as it had a rotary stepping switch to sequence the incandescent lighting which would have been the then current electrical technology in 1929 when built. The curving lines are more suggestive of Art Deco than Empire which was much more elaborate and decorative.
Rumor has it that the Galli-Curci Theatre in Margaretville (about 8 miles away) has been purchased by two film makers who keep second homes in the area. The rumor continues that they plan to renovate and convert it into a twin screen movie house. If this is true, it does not bode well for the sale price of the Fleischmanns Theatre.
The Galli-Curci is much smaller, had it’s seats and projection equipment removed decades ago…and any comparison is apples to oranges.
The owner’s comment that you wouldn’t be able to build the theatre for $150 per square foot is irrelevant to the market value of the building AS A THEATRE. The justifications used for pricing this theatre at such an exorbitant price demonstrate a lack of understanding of the economics of theatre â€" both film and legitimate stage presentation.
To be kind, your use of the word “exhorbitant price” is both subjective and prejorative. The current cost of construction of a similar structure is absolutely relevant to pricing.
[b]As to the economics of running the theater, it would entirely depend upon the imagination of the prospective owner. For example, it could (and should) be used on a 24 x 7 basis, both to show films, produce live plays, hold concerts, host community functions, and turn upstairs raw loft space into a recording studio (both audio and t.v.) which could then be used as a live insertion point (L.I.P.) to feed local cable companies (either by coax or microwave).
to: interestedbystander –
[b]Great advice…with one caveat. This is the only theater of substance between Oneonta and Kingston…and even they are only cracker box sized multiplexes. One would probably have to go to either N.Y. or Albany to find a theater of this size and majesty.
The Fleischmanns Theater is currently up for sale on E-bay View link
for approximately $32.00 per sq. ft.
Paul:
The key issue for this theatre is planning, programming and marketing
Absolutely. Several years before John DeSane took over the theater, we sent out a mass mailing of the season’s schedule to about 1200 postal residents of Bovina, Andes, New Kingston, Dunraven, Margaretville, Arkville, Fleischmanns, Halcott Center, Pine Hill, and Phoenicia.
The pickup in traffic was immediately noticeable and carried us through the summer season.
Additionally, Jazz Impressario Hal Davis produced an annual jazz concert that always played to a full house…and it was always commented upon how remarkable the acoustics were.
The market is there and will come…if the ambience and programming are suitable.
cc: paul @ grandvenues.com
to: Richard G.
Sorry, you need to go only to Catskill, N.Y. to find a theatre of “substance”. It’s 1500 sq. ft. stage is over 12% of the entire Fleischmanns' complex. It’s also for sale and I’ll be writing it up shortly. Anyway, good luck and I hope you get your asking price.
I’ve never been to the theater in Catskill so I stand corrected and eagerly look forward to reading your review. As a parenthetical aside, parts of Rt. 42 (the shortcut from Fleischmanns to Catskill) were washed out in the recent spring thaw, necessitating going down State Rt. 28 to Kingston…and then up the Thruway to Catskill.
By the way, I have no fiduciary interest in the Fleischmanns' Theater but did manage it for several years and served as both the projectionist and chief cook and bottle washer.
It’s a grand old building…but obviously could use some capital inflow as well as tender love and care to bring it up to speed.
Thank you for your timely response
to: Richard G –
I saw this theatre in 2002 and 2003 and I predict that at $445,000.00, this theatre will still be for sale many years from now. The only motel was converted into condo’s so I don’t think one could count on too many tourist’s admissions.
[b]As a point in fact, there are many motels in Fleischmanns…and several B & B’s as well. The Flagstone Inn to which you alluded is still operating as a motel, not as condos.
to: AGoodGuyInNY –
The Fleischmanns Theatre is NOT an Art Deco theatre. The exterior of the building is Not Art Deco. The marquee, which is not original to the structure, is Not Art Deco. The proscenium arch is Not Art Deco â€" its style is Empire.
The building itself is of no known architectural style. It was constructed of imported German block tile, and overlayed with a cement outer coating, and has steel truss construction.
I believe the marquee was original equipment to the theater as it had a rotary stepping switch to sequence the incandescent lighting which would have been the then current electrical technology in 1929 when built. The curving lines are more suggestive of Art Deco than Empire which was much more elaborate and decorative.
Rumor has it that the Galli-Curci Theatre in Margaretville (about 8 miles away) has been purchased by two film makers who keep second homes in the area. The rumor continues that they plan to renovate and convert it into a twin screen movie house. If this is true, it does not bode well for the sale price of the Fleischmanns Theatre.
The Galli-Curci is much smaller, had it’s seats and projection equipment removed decades ago…and any comparison is apples to oranges.
The owner’s comment that you wouldn’t be able to build the theatre for $150 per square foot is irrelevant to the market value of the building AS A THEATRE. The justifications used for pricing this theatre at such an exorbitant price demonstrate a lack of understanding of the economics of theatre â€" both film and legitimate stage presentation.
To be kind, your use of the word “exhorbitant price” is both subjective and prejorative. The current cost of construction of a similar structure is absolutely relevant to pricing.
[b]As to the economics of running the theater, it would entirely depend upon the imagination of the prospective owner. For example, it could (and should) be used on a 24 x 7 basis, both to show films, produce live plays, hold concerts, host community functions, and turn upstairs raw loft space into a recording studio (both audio and t.v.) which could then be used as a live insertion point (L.I.P.) to feed local cable companies (either by coax or microwave).
to: interestedbystander –
[b]Great advice…with one caveat. This is the only theater of substance between Oneonta and Kingston…and even they are only cracker box sized multiplexes. One would probably have to go to either N.Y. or Albany to find a theater of this size and majesty.