Coliseum Theatre (Washington Heights)

The Coliseum Theatre was a cultural and performing arts center located at 4260 Broadway between West 181st and 182nd Streets in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. A full-block building, it was bounded on the east by Bennett Avenue.

Coliseum Theatre

B.S. Moss' Coliseum Theatre New Coliseum Theatre Coliseum Cinemas
Coliseum Theatre in 2013
Address	4260 Broadway New York City United States
Coordinates	40.850451°N 73.935275°W / 40.850451; -73.935275
Owner	The Greater New York Vaudeville Theatre Corp[1]
Type	Theatre
Capacity	3,500
Current use	Demolished
Construction
Opened	September 30, 1920
Closed	2011
Demolished	2020
Years active	1920–2002 2004-2011
Architect	Eugene De Rosa Percival Raymond Pereira
Builder	Fleischmann Construction[1]

During the American Revolution, it was the location of the Blue Bell Tavern, which stood from 1720 to right before the Coliseum was erected, in 1915.[2][3]

Built in 1920 as B.S. Moss' Coliseum Theatre, the venue was originally a movie palace designed by architect Eugene De Rosa. [4] Marble interiors were done by Voska, Foelsch, & Sidlo Inc, terra cotta by New York Architectural Terra Cotta Company, ornamental plastering by Architectural Plastering Company, Inc., Peter Clark installed the rigging system, windows supplied by S. H. Pomeroy Company, Inc., Sexauer & Lemke Inc. installed the ornamental iron work, draperies and wall coverings by Louis Kuhn Studio, mirrors & console tables by Nonnenbacher & Co, and the pipe organ was installed by M. P. Moller[5]

The Coliseum was launched by Bow Tie Cinemas before being taken over by RKO Pictures. It housed many vaudeville acts, including The Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields, Eddie Cantor, Uncle Don’s Kiddie Show, and Gertrude Berg.[4]

During the 1980s, a local arts group wanted to rejuvenate the Coliseum as a community arts center, and put on a fundraiser benefit performance Salute to Ol' Vaudeville. It also was the site of the Dominican Film Festival and Children's Film Festival before closing.[6]

In 2011, the building was denied larkmark status, and a shopping mall is slated to be opened after demolition.[7]