The Alhambra Ballroom has been a theater, a cineplex, ballroom and even a bowling alley in the past century but now is up for rent once more. What should go into the 78,000 square foot of space on 7th Avenue just a block north of 125th Street? Big box chains really are the only thing to come to mind because the commercial rent would probably be extreme at this point. There are currently permits up on the lower level and it looks like workers are gutting everything into a raw space within but it is unclear if anything major will arrive in the near future. Some of the facade is also missing (a large cornice on the 4th level and a smaller cornice at top) so hopefully exterior restorations will also be made as part of renovation process.
Archival image courtesy MCNY
Something like the successful Hell’s Kitchen food court, Gotham West Market, see gothamwestmarket.com. Self-described as Home to premiere artisan vendors and restaurants with communal dining areas for groups both large and small to enjoy the market’s diverse culinary offerings.
ReplyDeleteI agree - that can and should work. Whatever use let it be able to be used in a variety of ways (late night dancing... fashion shows...). If they hadn't made chop suey of the original stage it would have been more promising
DeleteI vote for a dancing venue
ReplyDeletei'm with greg. was at this space for the patrick adams tribute night early this year and it was one of my favorite nights out this year.
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