PRESERVATION UPDATE
from the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation 
December 8, 2008
www.gvshp.org

GVSHP has been keeping a close watch on the landmarked Yiddish Art Theatre, ever since the owners bolted netting to the deteriorating cast-concrete façade last summer. We are very happy to report that the netting has since been removed. Though the damage from the bolts remains, the owners have hired Cutsogeorge Tooman and Allen Architects to undertake a complete exterior restoration of the building.

The restoration, which the architects estimate will be finished in a year, will involve replacing damaged bricks, fixing the leaky roofs, rebuilding the parapets, replacing the copper roofing, and stripping, coating, and/or replacing the cast stone where necessary. While all efforts will be made to maintain as much of the original material as possible, the architects have noted that much of the cast stone has been irreparably damaged as a result of graffiti, corrosion, and from the bolts drilled in last summer. Hence, much of the masonry façade may need to be replaced.

We look forward to closely monitoring this long-overdue work, as one of the East Village’s most historic landmarks is restored to its former glory.

PRESERVATION ALERT
from the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation 
July 17, 2007
www.gvshp.org

Monitoring the Condition of the Landmarked former Yiddish Art Theater on 2nd Avenue:    GVSHP has been closely monitoring work on the landmarked former Yiddish Art Theater (now Village East City Cinemas) at 2nd Avenue and 12th Street to help ensure the preservation of this important landmark.  The former Yiddish Art Theater is the most prominent remaining survivor of what was once known as the "Yiddish Rialto" along 2nd Avenue.  See the story in the Villager newspaper at www.thevillager.com/villager_219/acurtainofnetting.html.