A Walk Through The Loews King Theatre

theater
As some of you may recall, the New York City Economic Development Corporation scheduled a tour of the old Loews King Theatre on Flatbush as part of its request for expressions of interest from developers. Held last Tuesday morning, the visit appears to have attracted at least 40 or 50 people. Luckily for all of us, one of them had the presence of mind to capture the whole thing on camera and to upload all the photos to Flickr. Check out the entire set on the link.
Loew's King Theatre Photo Set [Flickr] GMAP
Chance to Bring Back an Old Brooklyn Gem [Brownstoner]
Former Loew's King Theatre [NYC EDC]

Comments

Breathtaking! I would love it if this could be restored to its former glory, but I wonder about the economic feasibility of doing so.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 31, 2006 10:06 AM

It can be done, but you needs lots of volunteers and government and/or grant money. Here's one of its sister theatres:

http://www.loewsjersey.org/

Posted by: Anonymous at October 31, 2006 11:49 AM

Years ago, we toured the Kings with a fabulous BCUE tour of 'secret places' in Brooklyn. It blew everyone away, but was so tragically rotted...a massive undertaking. If only it could be restored to be a 'destination' for central Brooklyn...I cherished such hopes during the Magic Johnson flirtation. It reminds me of what my friend's aunt (a matron on Long Island) said when I told her we'd moved to Flatbush, blocks away from here: "Oh, that area *used to be* lovely. It used to be 'bon ton.'"

Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at October 31, 2006 11:52 AM

Video on Loew's Kings:
http://www.planetplg.com/docs/LoewsKings.mp4

Background Info:
http://www.planetplg.com/loews.htm

Anyone interested in getting involved in the fight to get the theater restored sbould send email to the address noted on the page linked to above.

Dan
PlanetPLG.com
Save the Loew's Kings!

Posted by: Dan at October 31, 2006 4:20 PM

Ah, takes me back. I shot a GooGoo Dolls video there in '95 or so. Doesn't look much different. I do recall that the orchestra carpet was 3 inches of wet mush, and the stagehouse roof was mostly gone. Some nasty smells in spots, too. But what an incredible house. Projectors and arcs were still in the old fireproof booth...

Posted by: etmthree at October 31, 2006 9:40 PM

Wow!

It would be a crime to lose this one. What a magnificent building.

Posted by: CrownHeightsProud at November 1, 2006 12:43 AM

Please don't destroy it, AMAZING!!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous at November 1, 2006 8:21 AM

Thanks for the photos (and links)--I am so happy that even despite its decrepitude, the Loews wasn't torn down.
This sure brings back memories...

Posted by: Ivan at November 1, 2006 11:15 AM

There was the Kenmore,Albemarle,, Astor, and then the Kings on Flatbush Ave. NOTHING came close to its grandeur. A place where dreams were born. Restoring it isn't practical; it's a necessary obligation to bring history back to life.

Posted by: Harry at July 5, 2007 7:10 PM

Has NYC developement board made any plans for the restoration of the building yet?

Posted by: guest at January 9, 2008 10:28 AM

Is there any way one could do a public auction where people offer nominal donations to restore it? 7 million at $10 a pop could make $70M in no time. Im sure once the $10M mark hit some serious money would roll in to support the cause. Stallone, Streisand and Winkler must have some nostalgia...

Posted by: guest at March 18, 2008 6:59 PM

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October 31, 2006

A Walk Through The Loews King Theatre

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