Wondering About the Loew's Wonder Theater
Almost exactly a year ago, the Economic Development Corporation put out a request for proposals for the redevelopment of the gargantuan, dilapidated Loew’s Kings theater in Flatbush. Since then, though, there’s been little news about plans for the property. The former “wonder theater” has been the subject of a number of failed revitalization schemes since…
Almost exactly a year ago, the Economic Development Corporation put out a request for proposals for the redevelopment of the gargantuan, dilapidated Loew’s Kings theater in Flatbush. Since then, though, there’s been little news about plans for the property. The former “wonder theater” has been the subject of a number of failed revitalization schemes since it closed in 1977 (in 1999, for example, Magic Johnson signed up to turn it into a modern multiplex). In March, the EDC told the Times they’d received multiple bids for the theater and that the agency would try to move beyond the initial stage of the project sometime this spring (which, obviously, didn’t happen). We called the EDC a couple of times to ask about where the project stood but haven’t heard back. Any intel out there about what is—or isn’t—cooking?
A Chance to Bring Back an Old Brooklyn Gem [Brownstoner] GMAP
Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn; The Kings Is Dead! Long Live the Kings! [NY Times]
Oh and returning home late at night from Manhattan – it gets worse every year! The bridges are PACKED with cabs in a slow crawl over the bridges. The other option is to wait for an eternity for a subway after 11pm. It’s intolerable.
All true, but after AY and even more congestion is created on subways and streets leading from Brooklyn to Manhattan, people in Brooklyn will want to stay in Brooklyn for their entertainment. I mean, Madison Square Garden? Bleccchhhh.
i grew up in ATL, and I’m not convinced that the comparisons between the kings and the Fox are accurate.
As a preliminary matter, I hope I’m wrong because the Fox is beautiful. It’s one of the best theaters i’ve ever been in for concerts, etc.
First, the area around the Fox is very mixed. There are several fancy residential buildings that have come into their own the last few years (like the Georgian). Also, Ga Tech is within walking distance. The neighborhood around the Kings is worse, although it is also improving.
Even accepting that the neighborhood around the fox is gritty, people are willing to come to the Fox b/c its the city center. Kings has to compete w/ all of the island of Manhattan. Tour productions of Broadway shows often fill the Fox. Unfortunately, the Kings has to compete with the real thing.
Exactly, 6:15pm. The area around the Fox Theater is gritty too. Which is what makes the Fox Theater similar to the Kings Theater. The Fox Theater IS successful enough financially, and has been since the 80’s when the surrounding neighborhood was even worse! If it’s planned well and done right, the Kings could succeed as an arts, music and film venue. They could at least form an advisory board of people who have done this before, and explore it. And that doesn’t mean leaving it to NYC to figure it out, since they’re the ones who screwed up with the Kings in the first place.
It closed in ’77? Wow. I had my graduation there that June. As I recall, the movie on the marquee at the time was Exorcist 2: The Heretic. The interior didn’t make that much of an impression on me, though.
How about a Design Within Reach?
I continue to think some kind of music venue could be viable – with eclectic and varied booking of performances – it could work. In fact, I also think BAM should buy it and run it as a satellite space. It needs a creative solution, but hopefully something will be proposed.
i live in PLG. As a preliminary matter, I understand the negative references to the area between PLG and Ditmas Park. It’s gritty and not particularly safe.
That said, it has improved greatly in the last few years, and there are some very cute blocks.
As to the Kings, I dont see anything economically viable. Does anyone think an “arts/film center that focuses on the demographics of the neighborhood” will make enough money to survive?
Atlanta is still very segregated. The area around the Fox is still pretty shifty.