By Bianca Fortis
Nearly 100 years after it first opened, part of the Ridgewood Theatre may be converted into living space, according to documents filed with the city Department of Buildings.
The owner of the theater, Bushberg Properties LLC, has applied to transform the upper floors of the building into residential space, which would provide 40 new dwelling units, according to the application.
The existing three stories as well as all existing walls and foundations of the theater portion of the building will remain the same.
The building, which for years had been on the market, was sold to its current owner for $6.9 million in late August, documents filed with the Office of the City Register showed.
The chairman of Community Board 5, Vincent Arcuri, said the board has not seen specific plans for the building, but intends to stay involved with the owner.
“We are attempting to work closely with the current owner to ensure that they follow the landmark regulations for the facade and that they try and help the community with some spaces on the ground floor for arts and entertainment,” he said.
The theater, part of the Myrtle Avenue Business Improvement District, was shuttered in 2008 due to declining ticket sales. It has been vacant since then.
The building’s facade and marquee were granted landmark status by the city Landmarks Preservation Commission in 2010 after a battle that lasted nearly two years.
Landmark designation means a property has historical, cultural or aesthetic value and is an important part of the city’s heritage. The designation also means the building is required to be kept in good condition and the commission must approve any alteration, reconstruction, demolition or new construction that could affect it.
After the building was landmarked, there remained a question about what would eventually become of the theater. In 2010 an architect estimated the cost of renovating the theater to be around $25 million, a price tag that just was not feasible for most developers.
There were rumors that it would become a supermarket. Then some said it could become a concert venue. Meanwhile, community members had launched an effort to keep the arts as part of the theater’s future. In 2012, the local residents formed the group We Love the Ridgewood Theatre to do just that. More than 200 people signed an online petition asking the new owner of the theater to “include arts, entertainment and community programming” in the venue’s redevelopment.
Designed by American architect Thomas White Lamb, the theater, at 55-27 Myrtle Ave., originally opened in December 1916. It featured silent films as well as vaudeville acts.
When it opened, it accommodated an audience of 2,500. When it closed, it had five screens and a capacity of 1,950.
A representative of Bushberg Properties could be be reached for comment before deadline Wednesday.
Reach reporter Bianca Fortis by email at bfortis@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
