At yesterday’s Landmarks Preservation Commission meeting, the commissioners unanimously and enthusiastically approved the proposal to transform the Coney Island Childs Restaurant building into a theater on a 9-0 vote.  GKV Architects will restore the terracotta exterior detailing and renovate the interior for a high-end restaurant operator, Curbed reported. They will also construct a rooftop addition for seating. The theater, built in 1932 and landmarked in 2003, is currently a wreck. The LPC has some great historic photos of the Spanish Colonial Revival exterior and its terracotta ornament on its Facebook page. Outside the theater, GKV will build a semi-circular seating bowl underneath a tent for performances (rendered above) and a public park. Here’s what Commission Chairman Robert B. Tierney said about the plans to restore the building: “You’ve done a superb job of adaptive reuse, preservation and restoration. I enthusiastically support it and applaud it.” Commissioner Elizabeth Ryan stated that “the city is lucky to have this project.” The complex will  be named Seaside Park and Community Arts Center, added Curbed. Click through for more images and renderings!

Historic photo of the restaurant.

Current state.

One more rendering.


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