Loew's Theatre (New Rochelle) facts for kids
The former movie theater in June 2016
|
|
| Address | 585 - 599 Main Street New Rochelle, New York United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Movie palace |
| Capacity | 2,485 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1926 |
| Closed | 1980 |
| Architect | Thomas W. Lamb; Herbert J. Krapp |
The Loew's Theatre is a historic movie theater located on Main Street in New Rochelle, New York. It's a really old building that used to be a popular spot for movies and live shows.
Contents
A Golden Age for Movies
During the 1920s, movies became super popular! People called this time the "Golden Age" of movies. Many amazing movie theaters were built then. The Loew's Theatre was built in 1926. Another theater, the RKO Proctor's Theater, was built right across the street the next year.
Both theaters looked similar from the outside. They had a long, two-story front with shops on the ground floor. The entrance to the theater itself was special, with cool decorations and a big sign called a marquee.
Spanish Style and Famous Stars
The Loew's Theatre was designed with a Spanish look. It had clay tile roofs and fancy decorations above the entrance. A famous architect named Herbert J. Krapp designed the building. It was huge, with seats for about 2,500 people!
The theater wasn't just for movies. It also had live stage shows called vaudeville. Many famous performers and celebrities appeared there. Imagine seeing stars like Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Bette Davis, George and Gracie Burns, Sophie Tucker, George M. Cohen, Olivia de Havilland, and Will Rogers live on stage!
Changes Over Time
The story of the Loew's Theatre shows how many American towns changed. New Rochelle was a growing town where many people lived and worked in nearby New York City. The Loew's theater was a big part of the busy downtown area.
But then, new inventions came along. Things like television and VCRs meant people could watch movies at home. Also, newer movie theaters with many screens and cool technology started to appear. Because of these changes, the Loew's Theatre became less popular.
Bringing History Back
In 2012, a group in New Rochelle won a special grant of $500,000. This money was for fixing up old, important buildings downtown. The first project they worked on was the Loew's Theatre!
They cleaned and fixed the outside of the building. Many original decorations and details had been hidden for years. Workers carefully uncovered and restored them to look just like they did when the theater was first built.
New Plans for the Old Theater
In 2016, a company called RXR Realty suggested a big plan for the area. They wanted to build a tall building with apartments, parking, and shops.
By 2019, people started moving into the new apartments. The company fixed up the historic front of the theater and its marquee. They also added a new space for arts and culture, including a "black box theater." A black box theater is a simple, flexible space often used for plays and performances.
Some people have said that the new space could have been used differently. They thought it might have been better to include things like hotel rooms or more offices. These types of businesses could help the city earn more money. They also thought there should be more public parking.
