"Nude" Skater Hits Rockefeller Ice
Straphanger Who Pulled Emergency Brake Comes Forward
Should MTV's Jersey Shore Be Cancelled?
Would You Be Comfortable Locked On A Train With A Murderer?
Adam Lambert Says He's A Performer, Not A Babysitter
It seems a week doesn't go by without more news of venues closing. This week The Real Deal reports that the 27,000-square-foot building that houses the roughly 11,000 square foot Knitting Factory, is up for sale. The sale, which includes the venue and 18 decontrolled residential loft apartments, is expected to go for $15 million or more.
With last years announcement of Knitting Factories opening up all over the country (maybe even Boise, Idaho!), it's sad to hear the venue may have to shut its New York doors, which have been opened for the past 13 years at their current location. If the new owners want to keep the venue, and don't raise the rent too much, they'll be able to stay.
Jared Hoffman (president and CEO of Knitting Factory Entertainment) said the club, which originally opened 20 years ago on East Houston Street, “has always been a resilient and tenacious cultural icon.” Their plan is to keep going even if these particular doors shut. We've held nearly three years of our Movable Hype concert series there, and hope they get to keep their space on Leonard Street - especially after their latest makeover.
Photo via Larimdame's flickr.
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
An article about this that I read yesterday did mention that the lease is still valid through 2009. So it won't be closing very soon at any rate.
This would be awful. That venue is a superb venue to see shows, in my opinion. A little tight at times, but I always remember the sound being incredible.
Perhaps they'll build another multi-million dollar apartment complex in its place. Joy!
The Knitting Factory should BUY the freaking building with the new revenue from the franchised business.
If they don't purchase the building then, I would guess the management has it's head up it's ass and I will have no sympathy when they go under.
we used to live in an apartment in that building. the staff at the knitting factory always treated us right to make up for the crowds and bass that would keep us up at all hours. that apartment was as sty, but totally worth it.
If they don't purchase the building then, I would guess the management has it's head up it's ass and I will have no sympathy when they go under.
I came in here to say essentially the same thing. If you're selling nationwide franchise licenses, then the only reason you wouldn't be in New York is because you don't want to be.
Oh, I feel old now - I remember when the Knit moved into that space! Has it really been 13 years?! I remember seeing shows at the old Knit space on Houston!
Soon the whole city will be luxury residential condos, full of people who'll have nowhere to go except for other luxury residential condos.
Maybe it will turn into a Duane Reade or a Chase Bank.
I remember seeing the Violent Femmes' "Why Do Birds Sing?" tour at the old Houston St location. It was a tight fit but I loved it. The Tribeca space is nice but for nostalgic reasons I like the old venue.
well, you can still got to the old place on houston and grab a drink, it's just not called k f.
so this is wonderful...such bull. All these places are closing..one by one and i dont even go to the city anymore much as is since the closing of cbgb as well as other venues throughout. Everything is being taken away...Each time this happens, i ask myself when i'm leaving NY.
NYC was fun while it lasted. Same goes for Frisco and N.O. (though in the last case, for different reasons).