Best Renovation/Restoration and Excellence in Safety: Iconic Brooklyn Theatre Restored

Built in 1929, Kings Theatre on Flatbush Avenue is the largest indoor theater in Brooklyn and the third-largest theater in New York City. After closing its doors in 1977, the theater slowly fell into disrepair.

The 3,200-seat building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012 and was restored by the Kings Theatre Redevelopment Company, consisting of ACE Theatrical Group, the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group and the National Development Council.

Construction began in January of 2013, with the first phase dedicated to environmental cleanup and installation of a new roof system. The team then focused on several code compliance requirements, extensive mechanical work and design modifications done to the front of the house and interior areas.
All backstage and other spaces that weren’t planned for patron use were upgraded and modified to accommodate the needs of a modern theater. These alterations have allowed the venue to attract large audiences, generating the funds needed to support the theater’s rehabilitation.

To acknowledge the diligence used in adhering to the preservation requirements set by the State Historical Preservation Office, King’s Theatre received the New York State Preservation Award for 2014 by the New York State Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation.

To ensure the safety of the project team, a safety plan was put into place at the start of the project. Safety meetings were conducted with each trade at least once a week, and an EMT was on site to address any worker injuries.

The project, which took two years to complete, focused on preserving the historical aspects while upgrading and modifying the space. The renovation has helped revitalize the neighborhood and given 100 jobs to area residents.