Project Description
Nestled off the Coney Island Boardwalk an almost century old restaurant that marked an empire of culinary excellence, The Childs Restaurant stood abandoned. Badly damaged by hurricane Sandy, the architect was commissioned by the developer with a dream to revive this essential structure. With the help of the New York City Economic Development Corporation this dream was realized. Not only would the architect restore the exterior of the Childs Restaurant while the interior was revived to its former glory, but a new addition was requested; a 5,100 seat Amphitheater that would extend out of the abandoned Childs Restaurant.
The Amphitheater opened at the start of summer 2016 into the beginning of fall featuring various bands, singers, and performers. Beyond a music venue, the theater could also be used for various events, including graduations. One can see that the stage, which is 40’ x 60’ is flanked by 50 foot hangar doors which close in the off-season and turn the stage into an indoor stage/dance floor. A challenge occurred in the design of the amphitheater as a local noise ordinance required the fly tower to be placed at the heart of the Childs Restaurant. To resolve this obstacle the architect suggested a “Theater in the Round” concept to combine seating from the restaurant area and the auditorium.
The amphitheater is part of a series of investments made by the city in the past decade to revitalize the amusement district and improve infrastructure to support the growth of Coney Island.
By producing a year round dining and entertainment space as well as the seasonal amphitheater, local jobs are created and bring life to the long neglected west end.
The Childs restaurant was to be restored to its former Spanish Colonial Revival structure as the building is a landmark structure. The architect and preservationist were commissioned to restore the palatial facade, which is framed with over 500 pieces of terra cotta of various colors. The designs include seashell ornamentation, wide-mouthed smiling fish, and Neptune sculptures.
Though the endeavor to revamp this forgotten strip of the boardwalk did not stop at the restaurant restoration and creation of a concert venue. The design team took the lot adjacent to the new amphitheater and designed a public park. The idea was to have much needed greenery by the ocean. Textile roofs in the design allow for shade in the summer while hills allow visitors to look down onto the beach.
Sustainability played a key role in the design of this community revitalization. Currently, the project is targeting LEED Silver Certification.