The Ridgewood Theater. — Photo by Michael Perlman
In addition to the Gates-Palmetto Mathews flats and the Ulmer Brewery complex on Beaver, the ornate limestone and terra cotta façade of the Ridgewood Theater may be added to the growing list of Greater Bushwick structures up for historic landmark consideration.
A hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday [pdf] to determine if the Landmarks Commission should further consider the theater for Individual Historic Landmark status. A petition is being circulated to convince the Commission of the theater’s importance to the community.
The theater opened in 1916, and for generations served Bushwick and Ridgewood. “It is believed to be one of the oldest continuously operated theaters in the country, having never closed for renovations during its 89-year run.” It closed almost exactly one year ago.
FormerRidgewoodite March 16th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
I hope they save the Ridgewood Theater. For an area like Ridgewood and Bushwick that at one time had perhaps 20-30 theaters between them, the Ridgewood was the last.
The Ridgewood is currently set up as a 5-plex, but of course was originally one large theater. Much of the historic ornamentation is intact. It could be converted back to one theater, and used as a performing arts center, movie theater, or concert hall, but perhaps another option would be keeping it as a 5 plex, and just renovating the auditoriums. Perhaps using 4 for movies, and one for a small performing arts theater. There are so many possibilities. Perhaps they could also find a way to add one or two more screens into the building, in the former stage area, or the unused pool hall area on the 2nd and third floor.
No one can tell me there isn’t a call or profitable theater use for the old Ridgewood Theater, with the closest movie theater being in Glendale or Forest Hills.
Hopefully this landmarking will save the Ridgewood. I would hate to see it go to retail like it’s neighbor down the street, the old RKO Madison Theater (now the Liberty Department Store). The Madison was a highly ornate theater (that would even rival many of the Manhattan Broadway Theaters), but unfortunately closed in the late 1970′s, and was gutted.
Professional Alternative March 16th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
It’s certainly pretty, but if it were economically viable as a theater, wouldn’t it still be a theater? And if it becomes a store, I see no reason why the facade can’t remain more or less intact — the signage area is ideal for a giant shop marquis.
FormerRidgewoodite March 17th, 2009 at 6:58 am
The Ridgewood really wasn’t all that well maintained for many years. It was sort of run down inside int he 80′s already. As soon as I was old enough to ride the subway “without adults”, my friends and I went to “cleaner and better” theaters.
But there is nothing wrong with the Ridgewood that couldn’t be renovated inside. People have come to expect much more when going to see a movie, like comfortable seats, good sound system, etc, and at least not worrying what is running around under your seat. The Ridgewood didn’t have that…but that’s nothing that couldn’t be renovated and restored.
Professional Alternative March 17th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I have to say I’d see a lot more movies if I didn’t have to go to Union Square!
John Dereszewski March 17th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Jeremy, thanks so much for posting this item on this site. I had previously posted updates regarding this issue in the Forum section, but this should provide the visibility to the BushwickBk readership that it deserves.
In addition to signing the petition that appears among Jeremy’s links, arts and theater oriented groups in Bushwick might consider proposing cinema and theater oriented uses for the movie theater spaces that still exist here. This could potentially be a terrific resourse that might make the owner think more positively about the cultural developmet of at least a portion of this site. Good food for thought.