Plans For 50 Units At Ridgewood Theater
Someday soon, anyone will be able to live at the Ridgewood Theater.
The Department of Buildings (DOB) approved last Monday, July 7, plans submitted by the theater’s owner, Bushburg Properties, to develop 50 apartments within the shell of the former moviehouse.
According to the plans-available online at the DOB’s online database, www.nyc.gov/buildings—the ground floor will contain over 13,000 sq. ft. of available commercial space. The theater’s Myrtle Avenue façade- declared a landmark by the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission-is to be untouched, along with ornamental features in the theater’s former front lobby.
The Ridgewood Theater featured its last picture show in 2008 after nearly a century of business, and its fate had been in doubt in the years that followed. Bushburg Properties purchased the former moviehouse last year for $6.95 million, and soon after declared its intention to build new apartments in much of the theater’s space, which abuts Cypress Avenue and Madison Street.
Described as a “minor vertical enlargement” in the plans, two stories will be added to the top of the threestory structure. New floors will be created within the theater’s existing shell to enable for the construction of apartments.
All existing walls and foundations will remain in place, it was noted. The 50 apartments will occupy a total of 37,558 sq. ft. of the building.
Reportedly, there are no imminent plans for the ground floor space, but local merchants and artists are seeking to have it used as a performing arts center. Ted Renz, executive director of the Ridgewood Local Development Corporation, stated he is looking to set up a meeting with Bushburg Properties and We Love Ridgewood Theater- proponents of a performance space at the former moviehouse-about the site’s future.
“We continue to support an arts and entertainment venue in the theater space but have not had another meeting with the developers,” said Bridgette Vidunas ofWe Love Ridgewood Theater.
