Brooklyn Movie Palace to Reopen as Theater

Brooklyn is getting a new theater fit for a King. City officials and developers broke ground today on refurbishing the Loew's Kings Theater in Flatbush.

The classic, palace-style movie theater is said to have been designed after the Palace at Versailles and the Paris Opera House, but it has been lying vacant since 1977 at the corner of Flatbush and Tilden Ave. It will reopen in 2015 as a multi-use venue for theater, concerts, and dance.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz says the revamped Kings will revitalize Flatbush Avenue.

"I'm thrilled that we're bringing the glory of yesterday's Brooklyn to the excitement of Brooklyn today, and when this theater is completed it will restore the lust of Flatbush Avenue. It will be Brooklyn's Apollo Theater, Beacon [Theater], Radio City [Music Hall] all rolled into one."

Markowitz said in addition to helping the area culturally, Kings will help business.

"It will be a perfect addition. It will be a catalyst to economic development on Flatbush Avenue, and I expect restaurants and retailers will increasingly want to be here."

The Kings Theater will seat 3200, making it the largest indoor theater in Brooklyn.