United Palace
Loew's 175th Street Theatre | |
Address | 4140 Broadway between West 175th and West 176th Streets Washington Heights, Manhattan New York City |
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Coordinates | 40°50′47″N 73°56′17″W / 40.846412°N 73.938193°W |
Owner | United Palace of Spiritual Arts[1] |
Capacity | 3,350 |
Current use | church, concert hall/performing arts center, cinema (classic movies) |
Construction | |
Opened | 1930 |
Architect | Thomas W. Lamb |
Website | |
www.unitedpalace.org |
The United Palace (originally Loew's 175th Street Theatre) is a
The theater was the first in Washington Heights built specifically to show films,[3] although it also presented live vaudeville.[4][5][6][7] The theater operated continuously until it was closed by Loew's in 1969. That same year it was purchased by the United Christian Evangelistic Association, headed by the television evangelist Rev. Frederick J. Eikerenkoetter II, better known as Reverend Ike. The theater became the headquarters of his United Church Science of Living Institute and was renamed the United Palace.[8]
The building was designated a
Architecture
The architectural style of the
The interior of the building features a "palatial" staircase.[8] and reflects the western obsession with exotic lands and cultures that was fashionable in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The interior is decorated with filigreed walls and ceilings, illuminated with indirect, recessed lighting from within and behind the walls. The rich decor is enhanced by reproductions of authentic Louis XV and XVI furnishings.[12]
The theater still looks very much as it did when it first opened; the only major change that Rev. Ike made was adding in the 1970s a cupola or prayer tower on the building's northeast corner, at Wadsworth Avenue and West 176th Street, topped by a "Miracle Star of Faith," visible from the George Washington Bridge and New Jersey.
History
Theater
Loew's 175th Street Theatre was built as one of the
All five theaters featured identical "Wonder Morton"
Loew's 175th Street Theatre seated over 3,400 people and opened on February 22, 1930. The first program included the
Church
In 1969, as the era of grand movie palaces was coming to an end, the theatre was purchased by the United Christian Evangelistic Association, headed by
The church has since become an all-inclusive, non-denominational spiritual arts community.[19] In 2017, the Eikerenkoetter family "retired from all [United Palace] and [United Palace of Cultural Arts] operations".[20] As of 2018, the church is named the United Palace of Spiritual Arts.[21]
Classic cinema and live performance venue
Musical performers since 2007 include
In 2007,
The non-profit United Palace of Cultural Arts (UPCA) was founded by Reverend Ike's son Xavier Eikerenkoetter in 2012 and functions as a community arts center. UPCA currently works to produce performances for youth arts organizations through grants and fundraisers.[23]
In 2013, local benefactor
In late 2015, the LPC hosted a public hearing on whether to designate the United Palace as a city landmark. This was part of a review of 95 listings that had been calendared by the LPC for several decades but never approved as city landmarks.
On April 7, 2019, the United Palace of Spiritual Arts celebrated its 50th anniversary in the venue with a special screening of the sci-fi classic
Film and TV shoot location
The United Palace has served as a location in film and television, including
On December 13, 2022, it was announced that the United Palace would be the venue for the 76th Tony Awards, which took place on June 11, 2023.[39][40]
Gallery
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The corner of Broadway and West 175th Street
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The vertical sign
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The building's dome at the corner of Wadsworth Avenue and West 176th Street, featuring the "Miracle Star of Faith"
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The base of a column in the lobby
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A column on the main staircase to the mezzanine
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The base of a column in the mezzanine
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A detail from a mezzanine wall
See also
- List of buildings and structures on Broadway in Manhattan
- List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan above 110th Street
References
- ^ "4140 Broadway, Manhattan" New York City Geographic Information Services map. Accessed: June 1, 2014
- ^ Staff (ndg) "United Palace: Reawaken Wonder" (tour brochure) United Palace. Accessed: August 18, 2018.
- ^ a b c Caratzas, Michael (December 13, 2016) "United Palace Designation Report", New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
- ^ Adams, Nathaniel (January 15, 2015). "Across the New York Area, Restoring 'Wonder Theater' Movie Palaces to Glory". The New York Times.
- ^ a b c Dunlap, David W. (April 13, 2001), "Xanadus Rise to a Higher Calling", The New York Times
- ^ a b c d Atamian, Christopher (November 11, 2007). "'Rite of Spring' as Rite of Passage". The New York Times.
- ^ ISBN 0-231-12543-7., p. 286
- ^ a b c d e "United Church: 'The Palace Cathedral'" in New York City Organ Project New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
- ^ United Palace of Cultural Arts website
- ^ a b Dwyer, Jim (May 2, 2007), "With Indie Rock on 175th St., City's Reinvention Rolls Uptown", The New York Times
- ISBN 978-0-19538-386-7.
- ^ "United Palace Theatre History". United Palace Theatre website.
- ^ Alberts, Hana R. (May 28, 2014). "See the Amazing Restoration of Flatbush's 1920s Movie Palace". CurbedNYC. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
- ^ Kings Theatre website
- ^ a b Krefft, Jason R. Bryan & Roe, Ken. "Loew's Valencia Theatre". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
- ^ "Restoring the Wonder - Restoration Progress". Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Diamond, Bruce (May 11, 2012). "United Palace Cathedral may see new life as community arts center". New York Daily News.
- ^ Benitez, Juan Manuel (April 7, 2017). "Effort to Landmark 'Palace' in the Heights Years in the Making". Spectrum News NY1 New York City. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
- ^ "United Palace House of Inspiration". United Palace House of Inspiration website.
- ^ "About" United Palace of Cultural Arts website. Accessed: August 14, 2018
- ^ "About" United Palace of Spiritual Arts website. Accessed: August 14, 2018
- ^ Tommasini, Anthony (October 26, 2008). "Bernstein Mass Project, Youthful Choristers Imparting New Life". The New York Times.
- ^ United Palace of Cultural Arts website
- ^ "Success! $49K Raised to return film to the Palace". United Palace. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
- ^ Matua, Angela (February 24, 2016). "Pepsi-Cola sign in LIC may become an official landmark by the end of 2016". QNS.com. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
- ^ Staff (December 13, 2016) "LPC Backlog Initiative Results in 27 New Landmarks" (press release). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
- ^ "Subcommittee Delays Action on Three Landmark Designations - CityLand". CityLand. March 9, 2017. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
- ^ Walker, Ameena (January 28, 2017). "Owner of landmarked Washington Heights theater wants the designation overturned". Curbed NY. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
- ^ Pichardo, Carolina (January 27, 2017). "United Palace Owners 'Seeking to Overturn' Landmark Designation". DNAinfo New York. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
- ^ Staff (March 29, 2017) "Iconic theater slated for landmark designation". Manhattan Times
- ^ "Film Festival Event: Tour of the United Palace |". Retrieved December 6, 2021.
- ^ "Untapped Cities Insider Events in NYC for April 2019". Untapped New York. March 26, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
- ^ "Where Was John Wick 3 Filmed? Guide to All the Filming Locations". Atlas of Wonders. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- ^ "Where is Pose Filmed?". May 2021.
- ^ "'Pose' Star Says Show is 'Art Mirroring Reality': 'I Was Broke'". July 19, 2018.
- ^ "Filming Locations for Only Murders in the Building, Season 3". August 8, 2023.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan. "The Tony Awards Are Getting a New Home in 2023". Playbill. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
- ^ "Tony Awards To Be Broadcast Live From Washington Heights, Miles From Times Square; Date Set". Retrieved December 13, 2022.