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Landmarks
1560 Broadway, application to repair and restore the interior floors, walls, ceilings and decorative features, and to install non-permanent fixtures for a Pele Soccer store
WHEREAS, The Embassy Theatre, located on the east side of Broadway, between 46th and 47th Street, was designed by Thomas Lamb, built in 1925 with decorative details designed by Arthur Crisp; and
WHEREAS, It was designated an interior landmark in 1987 (while exterior is not landmarked); and
WHEREAS, In 1999, the Embassy Theatre was repurposed as the Times Square Alliance Visitor Center and closed in June 2014, with the space lying vacant since; and
WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to convert the theater into a sports gear and clothing store, carrying the brand of soccer legend Pele; and
WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to retain, repair, and restore original features of the interiors, such as the doors, decorative walls, ceilings, lights, and historic murals; and
WHEREAS, Restorative work includes the murals and their gilded frames, ceilings that suffered extensive water damage caused by the neighboring fast food restaurant, restoration of marble floors, metal work, wood paneling details; and
WHEREAS, The applicant proposes minimal alterations such as the installation of a sprinkler system (a code requirement); and
WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to mount non-permanent metal truss fixtures throughout the space to display clothing and other sporting goods; and
WHEREAS, The metal trusses will be anchored with minimally invasive anchoring system; and
WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to install a non-permanent raised flooring system over the original floors, covered with artificial grass to mimic a soccer field; and
WHEREAS, While the temporary fixtures and artificial grass do not enhance the historical fabric or blend with the original design of the theatre, the design of the theatre and the proposal do share a common mDNA, the tenant’s alterations are minimal and the preservation and restoration of historical elements of
the theatre is appreciated; therefore be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by 1560 Broadway to
repair and restore the interior floors, walls, ceilings and decorative features, and to install non-permanent
fixtures for a Pele Soccer store.