More Details On New Coney Island Amphitheater
New details have emerged in the Marty Markowitz backed $50 million Coney Island amphitheater, a plan that will transform the landmark Childs Restaurant into a multi-purpose performance and park space. The project has been a longstanding goal of Borough President Markowitz, who believes that the location will iron out any concerns raised by the local community in previous plans to build something similar.
Brooklyn Daily reported on the many new features of the project located along the boardwalk between West 21st Street and West 22nd Street. Here is a summarized list of the most standout details:
The design plan will remain true to the original Childs Restaurant and will restore the classical Greek, Spanish and maritime influenced architecture along the exterior and rooftop of the building.- A hole will be knocked in the side of the restaurant to create room for a stage.
- The land surrounding the space will be manicured into a park that will also allow for 5,000 seat viewing capacity when shows are put on.
- During the spring and summer, the semi-circular stage will be set underneath a removable mesh roof.
- There will be a high end restaurant and cafe that will operate year round. The restaurant will also feature an open-air section on the roof like the original Childs Restaurant.
- The surrounding empty lots around West 22nd Street will be converted into parks, lawns, gardens and provide a space for private concessions.
Architect Randolph Gerner summed up the goals of the project.
“We’re able to blend the historic character of this building into the new elements,” Gerner said.
So far, it sounds like the amphitheater will be a great addition to Coney Island. The project is expected to be fully completed by 2015.
