Death of a Theater

[dhermann1]

In the 2 years since I moved to the Bronx, I've realised that there are a LOT of disused theaters in this boro, in various states of decay. There was one that stood right next the the elevated subway I rode every day that always intrigued me, It was huge, obviously held 2,500 people, but also was clearly derelict. Well, as of last week it's on its way to theater heaven. The bulldozers and blow torches have been making short work of it.

It was the RKO Chester Theater, opened in 1928. It stopped functioning as a theater in 1968. It was a movie palace, but it also had fly space for stage shows. I don't know if any stage sgows were produced there, however. It had a Wurlitzer model 260 organ, which was reinstalled in a restaurant in New Jersey years ago.

Street level.

In its heyday.

A sad sight.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

It's sad to see it go. At least the pipe organ was saved.

 

[LizzieMaine]

You can see some fascinating architectural details in those photos -- the remains of the balcony show you just how steep the rake was, something that'd never be allowed under today's construction standards. But you also never had to worry about your view being spoiled by the tall guy in front of you.