The landmarked Childs Restaurant in Coney Island is going to be transformed into a 5,000-seat theater with city dollars offered up by Brooklyn’s outgoing borough president, Brownstoner reported.
Marty Markowitz, whose term ends next year, will contribute $48 million from his capital budget to realize his dream of establishing a theater in the beach community; the city had already pledged $10 million for the project.
The developer will be iStar Financial, which will restore the building’s façade as well as expand the old eatery onto a community garden next door. Plans also call for a lush lawn for audiences to enjoy outdoor performances. Construction is expected to take two years.
Last month, real estate investor Ruby Schron bought a retail site in Coney Island for $25 million. [Brownstoner] –Hayley Kaplan