Kings Theatre Reborn

A historic movie theatre in Brooklyn, N.Y., is in the midst of a $93 million renovation that will see the building restored it to its former gilded glamour to house a performing arts center.

Photo: Matt Lambros
Kings Theatre in the New York borough of Brooklyn is in the middle of a major renovation.

Kings Theater, which is owned by the city of New York, featured interiors inspired by the Palace of Versailles when it opened in 1929.

The theatre shuttered in the late ’70s, was acquired by the city a few years later and fell into disrepair. Officials announced in 2013 that the venue, which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, would undergo a renovation in partnership with developer ACE Theatrical Group of Houston.

Updates to the 3,000-plus seat venue include a modernized stagehouse, dressing and loading areas, new lighting and acoustics, upgraded sightlines, new restrooms and concession areas, and a restoration of décor and the original terra cotta façade and marquee.

“We are so proud to breathe life back into this long-lost cultural treasure, while also creating jobs and driving economic growth in the Flatbush neighborhood and beyond,” ACE CEO David Anderson said. “In January, the Kings Theatre will once again be at the center of Brooklyn’s cultural fabric – presenting programming that is reflective of Brooklyn’s diverse communities and providing a resource to foster and support creativity in the area.”

Diana Ross will be the first to take the stage at the revitalized Kings Theatre Feb. 3.