Borough President Marty Markowitz’s dream of turning Brooklyn’s biggest movie theater — the once-majestic Loews Kings in Flatbush — into “the next Apollo” is finally coming true.
The Beep, Mayor Bloomberg and other officials tomorrow at noon are expected to host a ceremonial groundbreaking on a $93 million city Economic Development Corp. project to restore the 84-year-old historic jewel to its former glory, sources said. The former 3,195-seat picture palace and vaudeville house at 1025 Flatbush Ave. closed its doors in 1978.
After decades of failed attempts to rejuvenate the site, the city three years ago tapped Houston-based ACE Theatrical Group to restore the Loews Kings to its original French-Renaissance-style, so that ACE could present up to 250 concerts, theatrical performances and community events annually.
Part of the Loews Kings’ legacy is its A-list of former employees — among them Barbra Streisand and Sylvester Stallone, who worked as ushers.
Construction is set to be complete by late 2014, sources said.
The Post first reported in February 2006 that the theater was in danger of being demolished until Markowitz began leading a new community effort to restore it. The site holds a special place in Markowitz’s heart since he had his first date there in high school.
Prior to 2006, many ideas for the site were considered including a 1999 multiplex movie house plan by ex-NBA star Magic Johnson that fell apart.