Washington Theatre
1805 Amsterdam Avenue,
New York,
NY
10031
1805 Amsterdam Avenue,
New York,
NY
10031
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Fox Circuit, Harris Theatrical Enterprises
Architects: Victor Hugo Koehler, Thomas White Lamb
Styles: Adam
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Many experts believe that the Washington Theatre is the oldest surviving theatre anywhere that was designed by architect Thomas W. Lamb. It was built by William Fox Amusement Company and first opened on January 21, 1910. Little known beyond its Hamilton Heights neighborhood, it had been taken over by Harris Theatrical Enterprises by 1935. The Washington Theatre closed in the 1950’s and served for many years as the New Covenant Temple, with its interior substantially intact, although the stage boxes on the side-walls have been removed.
The church vacated the building around 2010, and in June 2013, the building was ‘For Sale’ for $11.5 million, but has been pulled from the market.
Contributed by
Warren G. Harris
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
During the 30’s, the Washington Theatre was operated by Harris Theatrical Enterprices, NY. They also operated these other theatres in New York City: Bunny, Claremont, Columbia, Gotham, Sunset and the Washington.
The NYCLPC’s Landmark Designation Report for the Paramount Hotel mentions the Washington Theatre among Thomas Lamb’s works, but says that the project was designed in association with theater architect Victor Hugo Koehler.
According to Harlem Bespoke, this theater has been empty for at least a year and has been for sale for that least 6 months. The price has just been reduced from $11.5MM to $8.75MM. It adds that the interior is supposedly substantially intact! Yet another hidden palace in New York and supposedly the oldest of the surviving Thomas Lamb designs. http://harlembespoke.blogspot.com/2009/11/remember-washington-theatre.html
Sounds like reasonable cause for the LPC to be solicited for a review of the interior as a candidate for landmark protection (he types while laughing knowingly to himself).
At the very least one would hope that someone gets in there and takes a myriad of pictures assuming the worst.
http://nycma.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/s/44e5y6 tax photo 1940
Added pictures yesterday. Got in there last week!