Future Plans For Ridgewood Theatre Uncertain

The lobby, via Rego-Forest Preservation Council

What does one do with an old, now landmarked, theater in Queens? That's the big question for the owners of Ridgewood Theatre—in January the facade was landmarked, but the interior can still be renovated—leaving a few options on their hands.

The owners are still seeking partners to help them get the space operational again; one of them, Tony Montalbano, told the Daily News, "We don't know which way we're going." He may be keeping mum, but one of the original ideas was to turn the 17,000-square-footer into a dual movie theater/retail space. A win-win situation, but it all comes down to who's writing the checks.

The Ridgewood Local Development Corporation's Paul Kerzner says it could also be turned into... condos. He noted, "There's no preconceived notion of what this could or couldn't be. Obviously one of its best uses is to fully restore it"—the Beaux-Arts designed theater was first opened on December 23rd,1916, and is the longest-running movie house in the nation—"but in today's economic climate, our timing may be off."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on April 9, 2010 9:46 AM

Comments [rss]

Rego-Forester

From Michael Perlman, Chair of Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre:

While I appreciate your feature, your link to the Daily News article requires a clarification.... I initiated the landmarking process by forming Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre in Mar 2008, before the Daily News' History In Peril series, serving as Chair. I researched the theater, submitted an RFE landmark nomination form with written & photo research, & promoted the cause. The Landmarks Preservation Commission would not have known about its existence, & I doubt that advocates would have proposed it for landmarking, if I didn't submit the research. This important fact was missing from the piece. Upon sudden closure, it was greatly endangered, and may have been demolished or significantly altered if not proposed. Many of those advocates who testified orally or in writing at the LPC Public Hearing were members of my group, Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre, who I recruited. Various publications granted credit where it's deserved, including newspapers (NY Times, Qns Courier, Qns Ledger, Qns Chronicle, Forum West, QnsTribune, Epoch Times, NY Post), CBS 880, NY1, blogs, etc.

This theater is a great representation of architecture by one of America's most influential theater architects, Thomas Lamb. It dates back to 1916, and has an extensive vaudeville and film history. Architecturally & historically, the facade and interior is a complete package, and merits adaptive and creative reuse, rather than demolition of any part. This has been proven in other parts of the state and country, and owners have been successful. Vision-minded individuals and groups should contact Chair Michael Perlman, Friends of the Ridgewood Theatre at unlockthevault@hotmail.com with proposals, and all proposals will be referred to the owners. There are also grants to make the restoration & building upgrade renovations happen.