Bed-Stuy's Slave Theater Sold, Likely to Become Condos

Looks like the fate of the Slave Theater on Fulton Street in Bed Stuy is finally sealed. According to an article in the Daily News the theater is likely to become condos. It’s unclear from the story how the historic building will be incorporated into the development. The theater was almost auctioned off several times to cover outstanding debts and could have sold for as little as $190,000 at one point. That low price gave hope to The New Brooklyn Theater which was trying to raise $200,000 to purchase the property and use it as a community space and theater. The property, which was once a hub for civil rights activists, was part of the estate of Judge John Phillips, which is being managed by Rev. Samuel Boykin. The estate was mired in disputes over ownership of the theater and it was swimming in debt which prompted the near brushes with auction and eventually the sale. According to the Daily News, “in 2009, relatives of Phillips, who owned the theater until his death in 2008, were forced to put the building on the market to pay off more than $1.5 million in taxes and other debts owed by the estate.” In the end the theater was sold to Fulton Halsey Development Group for $2.1 million at the end of February–a sum that the family says will go entirely to cover debts. Though the developer would not comment, Rev. Boykin confirmed that the building would not remain a theater.

New Fate for Bed-Stuy’s Slave Theater [NY Daily News]
Slave Theater Auction Cancelled; Building in Contract? [Brownstoner]
Nonprofit Turns to Kickstarter to Buy Slave Theater [Brownstoner]
Foreclosure Auction Set for Slave Theater [Brownstoner]
Slave Theater Vacated, but Questions of Ownership Linger [Brownstoner]
Bed Stuy’s Slave Theater Still Looking for Buyer [Brownstoner] GMAP

Photo: Hobo Matt