If Only It Was Landmarked…

By Michael Perlman

Howard Johnson's with the Trylon & Perisphere, 1939 World's Fair, Courtesy of Rego-Forest Preservation Council

Landmarks come in all styles and forms and are in the eyes of the majority of the public, but that is not enough to preserve historic and character-enriching buildings, districts, or monuments, and rescue them from significant alterations or demolition. Therefore, the public has the tools to advocate for the establishment of an Individual Landmark (façade), Historic Districts, Interior Landmark, or Scenic Landmark by submitting a Request For Evaluation (RFE) form to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), which may calendar properties for a public hearing to determine their eligibility.

The Landmarks Law was a gift to the people when signed in 1965 by Mayor Robert Wagner, in response to countless protestors whose pleas to halt the demolition of the original Beaux Arts Pennsylvania Station fell upon deaf ears.

A landmark is required to be at least 30 years old. The LPC states, “According to the Landmarks Law, the purpose of safeguarding the buildings and places that represent New York City's cultural, social, economic, political, and architectural history is to stabilize and improve property values, foster civic pride, protect and enhance the City's attractions to tourists, strengthen the economy of the City, and promote the use of historic districts, landmarks, interior landmarks, and scenic landmarks for the education, pleasure and welfare of the people of the City.”

Forest Hills (founded 1906) currently has three official landmarks, Remsen Cemetery (designated 1981), Ridgewood Savings Bank (2000), and Engine 305 & Ladder 151 (2012), whereas Rego Park (founded 1923) has none.

Let’s bear homage to a sample of buildings that would likely achieve landmark status, only if they were still standing. While viewing a photo of a classic building that no longer exists or reminiscing while taking a stroll, the sounds of the wrecking ball can still be heard, but only preservation can offer harmony and character, and a building’s story can continue to evolve. 

Al Jolson's house being prepared for demolition, April 2006, Photo by Jason Steinberg

Al Jolson, nicknamed “The world’s greatest entertainer” was a singer, Vaudeville, and early motion picture star, who owned a Tudor Gothic home at 68-12 110th Street. It was built circa 1925 in a section of Forest Hills developed by Cord Meyer Development Company. The brick façade featured an ornate bay window of stained glass, a distinguishable flagstone sloped roofline, and a corbelled chimney. This home was eyed for landmarking under the LPC’s Community Board 6 January 1990 draft survey, but as a result of the city’s delays, it was demolished in 2006 for a McMansion, which places remaining landmarking candidates in the Cord Meyer area increasingly at risk. 

A mundane black glass office building stands at 95-25 Queens Boulevard in Rego Park, erasing any trace of the 3-story, $300,000 Colonial mansion-like Howard Johnson’s, which was erected in 1939 and presented with a Queens Chamber of Commerce architectural award in 1940 . Its distinctive façade featured sculptures, ornamental cast stone, pilasters, a portico, and shutters, and was topped with a cupola. It was advertised as “The largest roadside restaurant in the U.S.” with 1,000 seats, and was designed by the chain’s chief architect, Joseph G. Morgan and owned by Howard D. Johnson. 

A freestanding Art Deco sign boasted 28 ice cream flavors such as chocolate chip and burgundy cherry ice cream, as well as a grille and cocktail lounge. The 1939 World’s Fair’s esteemed seafood chef Pierre Franey was at your service. Weddings were held in the Colonial Room and Empire Room. Regal appointments included crystal chandeliers, a winding grand staircase, and murals by the famed Andre Durenceau. It was the end of an era in 1974 due to standardization and changing tastes for fast food. 

1939 World's Fair Gulf Service Station, Queens Blvd & Horace Harding Blvd, Courtesy of Rego-Forest Preservation Council

Rego Park once had its own version of the Empire State Building, as in a streamlined glass block Art Deco tower of the Gulf Station on the northeast corner of Queens Boulevard and Horace Harding Boulevard. A curved façade with curved windows and stainless steel accents were among the other novelty features, since nearby service stations exhibited Tudor and Mediterranean influences. It was erected by John J. Meehan Construction Company for Gulf Oil Company. 

It was deemed futuristic, coinciding with the 1939 – 1940 World’s Fair’s “World of Tomorrow” theme, and was conveniently situated en route to the Fair when Horace Harding Boulevard was briefly known as World’s Fair Boulevard. The Gulf Station earned a 1st prize award by the Queens Chamber of Commerce in the commercial construction category. The site was redeveloped in 1987 when the 17-story Queens Boulevard Tower opened at 92-29 Queens Boulevard. 

Roman Avenue now 72nd Avenue rowhouses, Forest Hills, circa 1910, Courtesy of Rego-Forest Preservation Council

On 72nd Avenue, formerly Roman Avenue, between Austin Street and Queens Boulevard, an assemblage of ten Neo-Renaissance rowhouses once stood on parallel sides, recalling a more humble time, when Austin Street and nearby streets were nicknamed “The Village.” As of 2018, only two rowhouses remained at 108-11 and 108-19 72nd Avenue, and an out-of-context 7-stoy building is slated to rise between them. 

A plaque states, “This marker denotes the first assemblage of residential structures, still extant, erected in Forest Hills. Built in 1906, they were the beginnings of this historic, beautiful community.” They housed Forest Hills’ first plumber, electrician, and carpenter. The rowhouses were erected by Cord Meyer Development Company which named Forest Hills, and they were designed by a prominent architect, Benjamin Dreisler. Prior to 1906, Forest Hills was known as Whitepot, consisting solely of farmland.

Distinctive features are unique low-rise stoops, bowed fronts of red brick and limestone, bedrock bases, a lion gargoyle, and a variation in cornice and lintel detail, which made no two exactly alike but harmonious. Similar rowhouses were more prevalent in Manhattan and Brooklyn, but with traditional high stoops. Central Queens Historical Association, chaired by historian Jeff Gottlieb, led a dedication ceremony in 1991 for their 85th anniversary, and in 2006, the site was re-dedicated to commemorate the rowhouses’ 100th anniversary, synonymous with Forest Hills’ 100th anniversary. 

Drake Theatre, Rego Park, Courtesy of Cinema Treasures

Saxon Hall at 62-60 99th Street was renamed The Drake, and although it is praiseworthy to pay tribute, it is even more beneficial to preserve the original building. The Rego Park and Middle Village communities were once largely served by the Drake Theatre at 62-90 Woodhaven Boulevard. This 585-seat Art Deco theater movie opened in 1935 in a growing community, twelve years after Rego Park’s founding, and was designed by Charles A. Sandblom. It was mainly a second-run double bill theater. 

Theaters, whether large of small, were spaces which united the community regardless of social status. They were designed to offer a memorable experience with fine architectural features, making patrons feel welcomed and offered a temporary escape from reality. After the Drake shuttered in 1992, Joe Abbracciamento Restaurant, a NYC institution established in 1948, expanded into much of the building. The façade and sections of the interior were preserved until 2016, when the site was demolished for a mundane condo.

At Risk: Local Landmarks & Small Businesses in Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens

***  To volunteer to help rescue our community's unofficial & official landmarks, as well as small businesses & green spaces, contact unlockthevault@hotmail.com and state your interests, background, & neighborhood. Step up & help shape what makes our communities meaningful & historic. ***

FACING DEMOLITION: The historic & award-winning Art Moderne/International style Forest Hills Jewish Center, Photo by Michael Perlman

Forest Hills, Rego Park, and Kew Gardens residents and business owners continue to feel disgruntled and perplexed over the rapid increase in planned demolitions and development, which could signify the loss of landmark-worthy sites and some longtime small businesses. In many cases, banal condos and office towers are slated to rise, while infrastructure has not been upgraded, and overcrowded schools, limited parking, and the loss of green space and historic character are becoming widespread concerns. On social media and at meetings, many rumors and facts have been circulating, and now it is time to have a look at a few most pressing scenarios.

As early as next fall, Forest Hills Jewish Center (FHJC), which had its cornerstone laid in 1947 at 106-06 Queens Boulevard, will likely be slated for demolition. Forest Hills resident Christine O’Connor, who has a close friend on the board, said, “They say that FHJC is not closing, but the truth is that it will be demolished and rebuilt within a glass condo box and stores by developer F&T Group. A parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs said that the church is also low on funds, making that in jeopardy too. Seeing bulldozers at these beautiful historic places of worship is a sin.” 

Forest Hills Jewish Center's Holy Ark & Candelabras by Arthur Szyk, the greatest 20th century Judaic work of art, Photo by Michael Perlman 

FHJC’s façade features stones from Jerusalem and a desecrated temple from the Holocaust, stained glass windows depicting the Burning Bush, and crab-orchard rock reminiscent of Jerusalem’s Western (Wailing) Wall. Among the other significant features are the Holy Ark designed by Arthur Szyk, which resembles an ornate Torah breastplate and is considered to be one of the greatest works of 20th century Judaic art.

Member Mark Weinblatt explained what FHJC Building Committee Chair told him. “Carl Koerner described to us members what the exact plans are, and to my understanding it will be executed in the fall. They will completely demolish FHJC and relocate to trailers on Austin Street near Gerard Towers for at least 2 years. The new building will be two floors, and the rest will be commercial.” His daughter, Gabrielle Weinblatt, also a member, said, “It saddens me to see that there are plans to demolish many of these places that make our neighborhood the wonderful community that it is.”

Queensborough publication documents Forest Hills Jewish Center's Award, Courtesy of the Queens Chamber of Commerce & their architectural committee 

Referencing FHJC’s Honorable Mention for its excellence in design from the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Forest Hills resident Iris Gretano said, “It is historical and award-winning. This is a monument to commemorate all the struggles that the Jewish people went through and how they persevered. Its demolition would be a monumental loss to history and to our people.” 

Mom & pop shops at risk, 107-02 to 107-16 Queens Blvd, Photo by Michael Perlman

A block away, an 8-story glass office building by RJ Capital Holdings is slated to rise opposite MacDonald Park on site of several longtime mom and pop shops at 107-02 through 107-16 Queens Boulevard. A demolition permit was filed in November 2016. On one window, a sign reads, “After 27 years and with much sadness, Liz Cleaners will be officially closed on January 21.” 

In many scenarios, businesses are owned by hard-working immigrants embracing the “American Dream.” Jeff Cha said, “My family acquired this dry cleaners in the early 1990s, and now will not relocate but retire. I have a lease until 2021, but a demolition clause negated that.” He also pinpointed the loss of character beyond his business. “Forest Hills has been the staple of what a family-owned neighborhood should be like, with store owners and customers having relationships, but with the rapid development of buildings, chain stores, and the absence of family-owned businesses where the rent isn't sustainable, it is losing that appeal.”

Yuriy Fay, owner of Yuriy’s Shoe Repair for 21 years said, “I feel bad because I spent half of my life here, but it is not easy to start again somewhere else.” Echoing those sentiments is Joie Tin, manager of Party World, which has been in operation for 16 years, said, “We don’t plan on reopening, but if we were able to sign another lease, we would have.”

Caffe Biu Bella which began a block south on Austin Street in the 1990s as Piu Bello, already shuttered. Owner Adriana Morote said, “We started working at Piu Bello in our early twenties. Later we encountered all kinds of challenges, but battled it as a family. Customers have become our adoptive family. We love Forest Hills and we’re not leaving.” Her sister, owner Karina Morote added, “Customers loved to sit by the open doors in front of MacDonald Park, which felt like being on an island.”

Landscaped areas alongside buildings and street trees on curbs have often been compromised by new developments. Among the concerned residents is Steve Melnick, who requested the curb trees on that block in 2008. He said, “It is imperative, and city law, that they are protected during any construction at that site.”

Key Food to close on April 1st, Photo by Michael Perlman

Nearby, Key Food at 105-02 Queens Boulevard is also being redeveloped, after the owner joined forces with Slate Property Group a filed a demolition permit in June, in exchange for an 11-story rental with retail that is anticipated for 2020. The loss of the supermarket will leave a void. Iris Gretano explained, “There are already many high-rises in the surrounding area. Key Food is a large, convenient market. There are many young parents with children and elderly people that need that store, but it will soon be difficult if they have to walk far. More housing means more overcrowding, and also in schools, which is not conducive to learning.” 

Shalimar Diner in Rego Park, Courtesy of Forgotten NY

In Rego Park, the future of Shalimar Diner at 63-68 Austin Street is in question. Opened in the early 1970s, this family-owned business, which appeared in Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street,” is rumored to be redeveloped. A local patron, Joseph Leone said, “Chris Karayiannis never owned the land, but leases the diner. Two employees said that the lease expires in November 2018. The longtime property owner sold the property to a real estate developer for the construction of a 25-story apartment building. If it closes, there won’t be a replacement for it in the community.” He associated its potential fate to a change in demographics and dietary preferences. “Ninety percent of customers were originally American Jews.” 

On the south side of Queens Boulevard between 65th Road and 66th Avenue, five retail buildings containing small businesses including the popular Sato restaurant and Masbia Soup Kitchen were demolished over the past year, and plans include the development of two residential high-rises and one office building.

Shops over Kew Gardens LIRR bridge, Photo by Michael Perlman

Residents are also concerned about the possible demolition of a Tudor-style row of mom and pop shops on Lefferts Boulevard in Kew Gardens, which the MTA has agreed to conduct an engineering feasibility study last fall, due to the community’s advocacy. Eric Schreiber said, “The proposed condos over the ‘LIRR bridge’ is a huge concern for me and literally over 5,000 other petition signers. Demolition would displace all of the small businesses on the bridge that the mostly older residents have come to rely on for food and services, and a condo would greatly increase the need for additional parking in an already overburdened area.”

“Real estate interests run NYC by contributing to our electeds' campaigns, so they will inevitably be on their side when it comes to tearing down places we love and need,” said Forest Hills resident Evan Ginzburg. He asked, “How about somebody fighting for more arts in Forest Hills that creates character, instead of more wildly overpriced offices and apartments?”

Forest Hills resident Carlos Pesantes, who estimates paying a few thousand dollars monthly in taxes, asked “I am not Mr. Monopoly, so why do these rich developers get a tax break?” “We need tax money to go to our communities for better roads, sewage lines, traffic lights with counters, speed bumps, sanitation, plowing, and better community centers, community gardens, parks, and numerous other infrastructure that make all of our lives better.”

He continued, “My grandmother would say, “Lo que no da, quita y lo que no quita, da,” which translates as ‘That which does not give, takes away, and that which does not take away, adds.’ I see it as you add to a community when you move to it and contribute. Greed takes away and love gives.”

A similar version appears in Michael Perlman's Forest Hills Times column: www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/27532843/article-New-developments-concern-longtime-residents

Final Act For The Continental Theatre - Another entertainment & social loss for Forest Hills

By Michael Perlman of Rego-Forest Preservation Council

After a 51-year run, the Forest Hills community waved adieu to its quaint neighborhood twin movie theater, UA Brandon Cinemas on April 21^st. Situated at 70-20 Austin Street, it was long known as the Continental Theatre, named after its close proximity to Continental Avenue. This restful destination in the heart of the business district was on the agenda for dates, couples, singles, and families with children, who would make a day of dining out and patronizing Austin Street’s shops. The marquee boasted mainstream films ranging from Star Wars to Les Miserables to The Great Gatsby. Operated by Regal Entertainment Group and owned by local developer Heskel Elias, the marquee now reads “Coming Soon: PM Pediatrics.” 
 

Back in March, this column reported that Austin Street may soon become “medical center row,” since medical facilities on Austin Street’s west end are slated to expand eastward within a 4-block radius. Austin Street is known for its unique boutique shops and restaurants, but reality shifted throughout the last decade as a number of longtime and recently established independent small businesses shuttered. This is mostly due to rent increases and demographic changes. Small businesses are frequently displaced by large chains, inclusive of banks, pharmacies, and a recent rise in medical establishments. 

Pasta Del Giorno at 70-49 Austin Street closed in February, in addition to its neighbor, Second Time Around. Construction is now underway for an urgent care facility. In October 2013, an out-of-context glass building housing a ProHealth Urgent Care Center was proposed for 71-53 Austin Street, which has since received violations and stalled.

When the Continental Theatre opened in 1963, Forest Hills residents were welcomed by the “Continental” script neon sign, and first saw Jean Genet’s “The Balcony” at a Walter Reade Theatre. An ad praised it as “New York’s and the world’s first split-level theatre,” which was only a 5 minute commute from the 1964 World’s Fair. It read, “From the beautifully decored lounge, you can either step down to the orchestra level or easily make your way up to the mezzanine. Here is a truly refreshing entrée into the experience of movie-going.” This dramatic innovation was designed by Architect John J. McNamara, and was also noteworthy for its art gallery for local artists, carefully selected films at an intimate ambiance, and rooftop parking. 

 In a public statement, landlord Heskel Elias called the property’s redevelopment for PM Pediatrics “exciting” and “more profitable” for The Heskel Group. Rego Park resident Gloria Nash responded, “It's all about who can afford the highest rents, rather than balance or quality of life, but it's no longer a community vision when a significant percentage of the population is left out.” She backed up her claim by questioning, “What percentage has a need for pediatric services, especially in light of no shortage of pediatric services in the area? What percentage has an interest in a theater which increases our enjoyment?”  

Other locals also mourn the theater’s loss. “PM Pediatrics already has 10 New York locations, so why does Heskel need to ruin a five decade entertainment space to open another?” asked Jennifer Cohen of Forest Hills. “It’s just a matter of time when people will be asking ‘Which Austin Street urgent care center should we visit? The one on 69^th, 70^th, 71^st, or 72^nd?’” 

Forest Hills resident Anita Nelson offered a suggestion. “The Austin Street corridor needs a nice art theater like the Kew Gardens Cinema, and if it hosted live entertainment, that would fill a void and be a huge bonus to Forest Hills. Currently, live entertainment is only available at bars.”

The UA Brandon’s closure echoes the loss of the cherished Trylon Theater, the Forest Hills Theatre, and the Drake. This leaves the 9-screen Midway Theatre on Queens Boulevard as the sole theater in the immediate vicinity, and the 5-screen Cinemart Cinemas somewhat further on Metropolitan Avenue.

“Close a restaurant or a dress shop, and there are others that open up,” said Nash, who continued, “But close a theater, and what other social and community options will open to replace that?” 

 A similar rendition of this feature story appeared in Michael Perlman's Forest Hills Times column: http://www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/25014381/article-Final-Act-For-the-Continental-Theatre-

Austin Street Retail District At Risk

The Forest Hills community is at risk. Learn more by visiting Michael Perlman's column in the Forest Hills Times/Queens Ledger:

http://www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/24686039/article-Austin-Street-retail-district-at-risk

71-53 Austin St received a Stop Work Order by the NYC Dept of Buildings: One of the signs of how select property owners are undermining the integrity of the historic retail district

Austin Street, long known for its independently owned boutiques, novelty shops and culturally inspired restaurants, may soon be on the verge of becoming “medical center row,” as several businesses are slated to expand from the thoroughfare’s west section eastward.

Over the past decade, the retail district has been marked by the closure of many small businesses, including Daniella Boutique, Santa Fe Steakhouse, Stoa Jewelry, Buster Brown Shoes, Homestead Gourmet Shop, and Art World. Pasta Del Giorno at 70-49 Austin Street, which opened in 1989 and offered fine Italian dining, closed in mid-February.

The closed shops made way for large corporations, including banks, chain pharmacies, clothing shops, and cell phone stores, to move in after landlords imposed hefty rent increases upon some longtime tenants.

“I am very upset so many boutiques have closed, such as Lulu’s, Austin Jeans, and Piccolo Mondo,” said Elias Kalogiros, who co-owns Austin Street's Exo Café. “There used to be a nice combination of middle to high-end shops, but the neighborhood is changing based on what landlords are asking. Some rents on Austin Street are even higher than Manhattan, so we can expect more medical facilities, banks, and office buildings.”

Rumor has it that UA Brandon Cinemas at 70-20 Austin Street will close shortly for a medical business. A February job filing with the Department of Buildings states an existing legal use for a theater and a proposed use for an “ambulatory diagnostic” establishment.

Likewise, nearby shop Second Time Around also closed recently, and a permit issued last month calls for “construction of a new urgent care office including limited demolition.”

“This is supposed to be a shopping area and should stay like this,” said Sal Wahd, manager of Leather Boutique.

In summer 2013, the community learned that a new glass building was proposed for 71-53 Austin Street, and would be home to an H&M clothing store. But banners posted last October instead read “Coming Soon – ProHealth Urgent Care.”

“It is sad enough that so many stores are closing due to harsh economic times, but having more medical facilities won’t do anything for Forest Hills,” said Lisa Jaume of Lady Love Boutique at 71-63 Austin Street. “A glass building will take away from the charm of Austin Street, and a vacant lot attracting vandalism is unwelcome in such a prestigious neighborhood.”

Her concerns have become a reality, as the property is now covered in graffiti and trash collects behind the construction fence.

“This is not a medical street,” said Natasha Nirmal, owner of Urban Creations Fashion Boutique at 71-54 Austin Street. “More shops and restaurants would be beneficial for the entire street, and may help businesses that are suffering. I hope the medical facilities won’t affect our retail parking.”

Commenters on Edge of The City: A Forest Hills Blog have suggested a make-your-own salad take-out place, an independent coffee house, an upscale diner, and a good, reasonably priced Chinese restaurant.

“Before a medical center opens on our main shopping strip, how about we first get some of the restaurant options that so many other thriving neighborhoods in New York City already have for years?” asked Drake Michell, webmaster for the site.

“It concerns me that we will have an abundance of urgent care facilities in a four-block radius,” added Leslie Brown, president of the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce. “I will be delving into some concerns of small businesses and possibly scheduling a meeting.”

Forest Hills co-op owner Ron Daniel, who is also a licensed real estate salesperson with Sotheby's International Realty NYC, offered his take on the situation.

“Unfortunately, there is no Austin Street BID to work with business owners, landlords, the community, and Community Board 6 to incentivize and spur growth of new retail and restaurant operators,” he said. “These groups must devise a comprehensive plan to create a cohesive atmosphere for this high foot traffic street. Business operators need to begin by banding together because the landlords certainly are not.”

If you are a concerned Forest Hills resident or business owner and care about the future of your community, please email Rego-Forest Preservation Council at unlockthevault@hotmail.com 

Coming Attraction: Nightmare At The RKO Keith's Theatre

RKO Keith's Theatre in its 1920s grandeur, Courtesy of the Michael Perlman Postcard Collection

 

 

SHAME-CAM! RKO Keith's 2010 rendering after rental conversion. Image by Studio V Architecture

History At Stake

This blog feels strongly that one of Thomas Lamb's most outstanding theater designs, despite its current condition of the facade and auditorium, should be rebuilt rather than demolished. Some theaters in a more drastic state have been revived through grants, tax credits, fundraisers, and "out-of-the-box" developers. A landmarked lobby is only a fraction of the theater, and is required by law to be retained, so why is new owner Patrick Thompson being portrayed as heroic according to some recent press and some electeds?

A typical rental high-rise with 357 units, 360 parking spaces, & a glass curtain wall on Main St surrounding the original lobby is a slap in the face to one of Queens' greatest theater landmarks. All of Queens could benefit by a performing arts center within, but not another banal glass high-rise on site of one of the most historic theatrical spots, causing more congestion. Hasn't Queens lost enough for the political view of "progress?" Don't settle for piecemeal! Allocate the development funds towards a restoration and maintain an open ear, Mr. Thompson!!!

If Lady Liberty's torch wasn't officially landmarked, would we chisel it off if it was in disrepair, or would we work collaboratively to acquire grants, tax credits, and organize fundraisers to restore it? 

Preserving a portion of a site symbolizes a plaque. On a greater scale, how many more plaques will Queens have, which memorializes what we once had, but still could have with a creative vision? 

More information on glass rental conversion plans: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20110112/REAL_ESTATE/110119942/0/REAL_ESTATE

 *****
      In December 2010, some member preservationists of Rego-Forest Preservation Council and Friends of The RKO Keith's Flushing Theatre shared their sentiment & futuristic vision with journalism student David He of Baruch College. His quintessential-quality feature was posted on his college's blog, "Writing New York: Post From The Boroughs And Beyond" and we were granted permission to feature his piece, to help spread the word on the RKO Keith's Theatre Campaign.....

From Silver Screen To Preservationist Scene

A skeletal marquee juts out from the face of the shuttered building like a morose frown, bare and immovable. Underneath, the entrance is covered by an expanse of the blue-colored boards that typically designate a new construction project. Except these boards have been in place for over two decades now and are dirty and graffiti-strewn. The RKO Keith’s Theatre, once a glamorous venue for cinema, has been languishing in limbo since it closed its door to the public and the community.
The theatre, which sits squarely at the intersection between Main Street and Northern Boulevard in Flushing, has weathered both time and conflict in the years after it closed in 1986. The site has drawn as much controversy as it has interest due to both the economic opportunity of its land and the personal connections that many who grew up in Flushing have to the theatre. In 2009 the strength of these connections and memories coalesced into a Facebook group called “Save the RKO Keith’s Flushing”, dedicated to the preservation of the theater.

“My earliest memory was watching The Empire Strikes Back with my father in 1980,” said Rick Gallo, an admin of the Facebook group. “We sat in the main theater, which was the largest of the three theaters. The screen was enormous and would rival the new theaters of today.”
Founded by Flushing native Ed Tracey, the group quickly took off and had over 1,000 members in a month. Many of the members had grown up watching movies at the RKO, or had had their graduation ceremonies there. The Facebook page allows members to share their memories of and experiences with the theatre and brings together people that have otherwise moved away from the area.

“When I walked into that theatre it was like entering another world, as my sisters and I would say, it was like heaven,” said Annette Guarino, who grew up in Flushing but now lives in Long Island. She went on to describe the gold embossed statues, the sky-painted ceiling, and the sweeping stairs with mahogany handrails, calling the beauty of the theatre “endless”.

RKO Keith’s Atmospheric Style lobby, courtesy of Michael R. Miller Collection

In addition to those who saw movies during the theatre’s prime, the group also has members who were too young to remember the theatre or who were born after it closed. For these supporters the root of their cause is preserving a piece of history that they never had a chance to take part in, but nevertheless moves and fascinates them.

Susan Carroll, who was six years old when the theatre closed, grew up listening to stories about the wonders of the RKO and how her parents saw Star Wars there in 1977.

“I always felt sad I’d missed out on knowing that theatre, not to mention that I had to take buses and trains to the movies, while the RKO, in walking distance stood there vacant and neglected,” said Carroll.

RKO Keith’s Theatre, Aug 17, 2008, courtesy of Preservationist Michael Perlman

For many subsequent generations growing up, the RKO would remain as such –an abandoned, lifeless, and dilapidated husk of a building. Yet its history stretches back to more than half a century ago, and begins in 1928 when it was first opened as a vaudeville theatre. Designed by Thomas Lamb, one of the preeminent industrial designers of the era, the RKO was built with grandeur in mind.
The façade was lined with lively storefronts, and topped by an ornate, arch-like marquee; a preview of the marvels that awaited inside. The interior was designed in the Spanish Baroque and Atmospheric style, heavily characterized by elegance and opulence. The lobby was a two-story high room with columns and gilded plasterwork on its upper story. The foyer featured a fountain in the center and two broad marble staircases that led up to the gallery. Throughout the rest of the theatre elaborate and intricately worked elements variously made of wrought iron, terra cotta, and plaster contributed to the overall look and feel of a “movie palace.” The auditorium, which seated 2,900, was known for its ceiling, which was painted a deep blue and had projections of stars and clouds moving across its surface to create the illusion of an evening sky.

RKO Keith’s street view of facade, courtesy of Michael R. Miller Collection

“I always remember walking in and being awed by the spectacular moon-ish ceiling: it felt as if I was in outer space,” recalled Gallo.

By the 1930s the vaudeville shows were discontinued and only movies were shown. In the 1970s the RKO was renovated and carefully converted into a triplex to house three theatres. The lobby and the foyer were listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, and shortly afterwards in 1984 was granted landmark status by the Landmarks Preservation Commission of the city.

The RKO’s troubles began when Tommy Huang, a businessman and developer purchased it for $3.4 million in 1986. Huang planned to build a hotel, a mall, and a movie complex around the landmarked areas. In his time as owner of the theatre he had half of the auditorium torn down, the lobby stripped, and the sweeping staircase bulldozed. Although he was opposed at every turn by preservationists and activists, by the time Huang filed for bankruptcy in 1996, the theatre was in ruins. Huang put the RKO up for sale and the following year was arrested and indicted for having knowingly allowed hundreds of gallons of heating oil to spill into the basement of the theatre, following an investigation by the New York State Attorney General.

Michael Perlman, the Queens VP of the Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance and a member of multiple preservation organizations, believes that locales like the RKO are culturally important and their value is greater than anything a profit-driven development could achieve.
“A theater owner should preserve and creatively reuse one of our city’s greatest landmarks at heart, and consider its intricate history […] Developers should not enter and attempt to demolish this gem awaiting TLC,” said Perlman.

After the Huang debacle the RKO was once more without an owner and direction until Boymelgreen Developers bought the theatre for $15 million in 2002. Boymelgreen had plans to build a 17-story condo tower with a senior center and received approval from Queens Community Board 7 to begin construction. However the developer backed out, citing issues with debt and financial viability, and the RKO was put on sale yet again in 2007.

RKO Keith’s Theatre facade March 7, 2009, Courtesy of Preservationist Michael Perlman

Gallo met Tracey after he discovered the Facebook group online and the two worked closely together, despite having never met in person, through phone calls and emails. They worked to raise awareness for the group and their mission to save the RKO. In a short amount of time the group received press coverage from local papers such as the Queens Tribune and more distributed papers like The Daily News. The group managed to incorporate and attempted to attain a 501(c)(3) status for fundraising purposes when they learned in May 2010 that the RKO had been bought by Manhattan condo developer Patrick Thompson for $20 million.

Gallo and Carroll met with Thompson in June to discuss the developer’s plans for the RKO. Thompson’s plans mostly follow Boymelgreen’s original plan of building a 17-story condo and a senior center. He has also agreed to restore and preserve the landmarked lobby.
“The community board and landmarks committee simply would not landmark the whole building. This is not acceptable but it is better than tearing down the whole building,” said Gallo. “If the lobby can be preserved, at least we can say that a small portion of Flushing history has been saved.”

This of course comes after a large part of that Flushing history has already been destroyed. A video posted on YouTube by preservationist Thomas Stathes in 2009 offers a look at the neglected and ruined interior. The walls that are still standing are cracked and peeling, the ceiling has extensive water damage, and a gaping chasm is all that remains of half the auditorium. In some instances a few design elements and ornaments are still intact but for the most part the theatre is littered with debris and left in darkness, a gutted remnant of its former glory.

The saga of the RKO is still ongoing. Construction has yet to begin and there has been talk that Thompson may revise his initial plan and increase the amount of apartments and parking spaces that are to be built. It seems that for now the RKO will continue to be surrounded by uncertainty but the resolve of Gallo, Tracey, and others in the group to preserve as much of the theatre as possible remains unchanged.

“I believe the current residents of Flushing deserve to learn about and to know a restored RKO, at least the landmarked lobby portion, if nothing else,” said Carroll. “As long as the building is still standing, I have hope that the RKO will come alive once more.”

Please visit & join:

Save the RKO Keith’s Facebook Group

Thomas Stathes’ YouTube video of the RKO interior

Vanishing City: Alarming, But In Your Backyard!

Hats off to the production team of Vanishing City, a film which highlights dominant neighborhood controversies citywide, "told through the eyes of tenants, city planners, business owners, scholars, and politicians. We are facing alarming issues, which will only intensify if we don't develop a voice in our city's future:

1. Overdevelopment
2. Loss of our historic resources, which give our neighborhoods a culture & aesthetic beauty
3. The growing elimination of the middle class
4. Eminent domain abuse
5. Loss of small businesses

ALARMING?!?!

What made our city distinctive and unique for decades is disappearing, but it is still not too late for you to have a voice. To learn more about their mission, visit http://www.vanishingny.org/  and see the trailer. If you agree with the premise of the film, you can make a tax deductible donation. Their e-mail is vanishingny@gmail.com