Monday, May 24, 2010

Flushing RKO Keith's Theatre sold

From Crains:

A Manhattan condo developer paid $20 million for the landmarked RKO Keith Theatre in Flushing. The deal was arranged by the bank that holds the mortgage which was taken out by the former owner, troubled real estate investor Shaya Boymelgreen.

Patrick Thompson said he hasn't decided what to do with derelict property on Northern Boulevard that has stood vacant for nearly 25 years. Options he is considering include building a condo or nursing home on the site. Mr. Thompson said Doral Bank, one of his lenders, contacted him about buying the property after Mr. Boymelgreen defaulted on the loan.

“I picked it up for the price of the loan,” said Mr. Thompson. “I saw a real economic opportunity here.”

Mr. Thompson says he can build a 389,000-square-foot building.

“It is going to be good for the community to have something in the location,” said Craig Price, a lawyer for Mr. Thompson who worked on the deal.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

“I picked it up for the price of the loan,” said Mr. Thompson. “I saw a real economic opportunity here.”

Mr. Thompson says he can build a 389,000-square-foot building.

“It is going to be good for the community to have something in the location,” said Craig Price, a lawyer for Mr. Thompson who worked on the deal.

"REAL OPPORTUNITY"?
OK, WE GOT THE DOLLAR ANGLE. NOW WHERE IS THE COMMUNITY ANGLE IN HIS LITTLE SCHEME?

"IT WILL BE GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY"?
LET'S WAIT AND SEE....

panzer65 said...

It appears another historic building has finally met its fate.

Ms. Fedup said...

Tommy Huang (remember him, Julia Harrison & co.??) ruined the RKO Keith's back in the '80's when he was our local land baron and we were his serfs. It was beautiful inside and WAS a landmark until Huang was ALLOWED to gut the interior and the rest is history.

georgetheatheist said...

Hey Thompson, call the guys at the Trib: Schenky, Nussy, and Acky. Turn it into a grand Asian Hot Babe Whore House.

Anonymous said...

I am sorry, I am just too tired to care anymore. Queens in general, and Flushing particularly, is shot to hell. Not one politician, developer or landmark designation gropu was ever going to do anything productive regarding the Keith.
Let them have their festering, overcrowded slum, and let them suffocate in it.

Jerry Rotondi, Comm. To Save RKO Keith's Theatre of Flushing Inc. said...

Let's see how Mr. Thompson plans to incorporate the STILL LANDMARKED and RELATIVELY INTACT ticket lobby and grand foyer into his project.

Anonymous said...

At least we're not dealing with sleazy Sam Suzuki.

Or are we?

Thompson could be just a front for Mr. S!

ConcernedQNZ said...

Its gonna go to shit regardless unless we can find a history buff/ millionaire/ community minded developer...

If anyone finds one let me know..

Until then I'll be wasting my time playing the power ball

Anonymous said...

This might be naive, but still going to say it.. why not rebuild it as another entertainment center like a cinema or something!..

whoops, I forgot, it won't make as much money as condos!

Anonymous said...

This might be naive, but still going to say it.. why not rebuild it as another entertainment center like a cinema or something!..

There's a new movie theater going into the new clusterfuck on College Point Blvd., right? (I forget the name of it - where the new BJs is.) The last thing Frushing needs is something to draw even more people into the overcrowded cesspool it is.

Anonymous said...

The area could use a multi-story parking lot.

Anonymous said...

"Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown"!

Maybe CB7 will approve another Oriental supermarket to replace the Keith's (LOL)!

Wadda ya got to say...new CB7 board member...Pauline (Pau Lin) Chu?

The board (#7) is stacked and so is the deck or cards...aong them "king" Cong. Ackerman...which makes for a royal flush!

Flushing's already down the toilet...fuggettaboutit!

Not even a good plumber can help it now!

Koo-Koo's nest said...

What's the reclusive, inscrutable Councilman Koo's view on the Keith's?

We can't understand you Peter....what's that you're saying?

Oh, I see...I've got to speak to Dennis P. Gallagher (your political adviser, former councilman/convicted rapist) or your translator James....for any further comments.

Anonymous said...

HERE IS ANOTHER QUEENS CRAPPERS MOMENT. YOU GUYS LOVE TO TALK SHIT/ NEGATIVE SHIT ABOUT THE SUBJECT

Anonymous said...

I grew up not far from the RKO saw many movies there. Would hate to see it destroyed but I dont think anyone cares enough!! Hey Donald Trump offered to buy that building in NYC maybe he would buy the RKO
It would be great if they could restore the RKO and then they could still build there condo on top of it!! I know that whole area is soo different I have be out of there since 1992. But my memories or great would not want to see such a great gone forever!! Does nobody care about history