Construction To Transform Historic Childs Restaurant Into Concert Venue Begins

Work to convert the historic Childs Restaurant in Coney Island into a 5,099-seat amphitheater and restaurant began last week.

Construction workers were seen filling trash bags at the site, located at West 21st Street on the Riegelmann Boardwalk, and one wall has been partially bulldozed, reports the Coney Island blog.

Dubbed Seaside Park and Community Arts Center, the $50 million theater and community complex will be used to continue the free Seaside Summer Concert series started by former Borough President Marty Markowitz, and will feature paid shows as well. It will also be used for civic events and graduations.

Community Board 13 initially voted against the project, saying it would bring noise and traffic to the area, but despite the building’s landmark status, it won the approval of the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission.

As we’ve reported, City Council drafted the zoning legislation to see it through as a parting gift to Markowitz, who believed a concert venue would bring development and economic growth to the area.

Though the new construction will attempt stay true to the restaurant’s Classical Greek, Spanish, and Maritime architecture, there will be several changes to the original structure, such as a hole knocked in one wall to create a stage. Read more details of the project here.