Comments on: So Long, Pyke’s Cinematograph Theatre

By: Darron Keeling

Darron Keeling — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 17:59:38 +0000

Having already killed off the Pavilion for a hotel, now this one has gone too… for yet another hotel… crazy crazy crazy.

By: Marcia Howard

Marcia Howard — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 14:06:30 +0000

Shame, shame, shame…

By: mlaiuppa

mlaiuppa — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 01:43:28 +0000

As to the keeping of the façades, is there perhaps some ordinance, code or regulation requiring it?

I know in areas of my city (especially the older ones with views of the ocean or city) there are requirements that one wall of the original building must be kept. Or that a replacement structure (if the former is beyond saving) must adhere to the exact footprint of the former structure.

We have areas where there are height limits so as not to build up and block the view of an existing home.

I’m sure some ordinances and requirements are designed to save structures and preserve the character of neighborhoods, but in some cases they end up being a challenge to developers to stay within the letter of the law but still end up violating the spirit of it.

“Loophole” is the worst form of architecture.

By: Johnny C

Johnny C — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 17:22:07 +0000

Dear TGA, another great post, thank you. Maybe on your next westward excursion you could visit us here in historic Harefield and witness our abundance of historic sites and also sadly the destruction to our countryside by the HS2 project. I would be happy to guide you should you fancy another summer escape from the city heat and smog.
Best regards.

By: Alexandra Rook

Alexandra Rook — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 15:31:40 +0000

Facadism depressing tokenism could have incorporated building below a new o e above to make use of ‘air rights’. I saw my first film at the Shepherds Bush fleapit (all
Cinemas seemed to attract that slur) in the 1950s, Oaklahoma; I recall the Rogers & Hammerstein song I thought was called ‘The Surrey with the mane on top’ but I see it’s actually rather differently called http://bit.ly/2EPjMJP

By: Jane Manley

Jane Manley — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 12:15:31 +0000

I took a similar photo myself about three weeks ago when I was on an epic journey of rediscovery of the area I worked in back in the late 1980s. I could remember it being a bar but had never been in. Just around the corner I was sad to see that a very old pie and mash shop was closed. I used to go there for lunch with friends. It had been there for years but was compulsorily purchased in 2015 and has remained empty ever since.

By: Mary Purcell

Mary Purcell — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 12:04:49 +0000

You and your readers need cheering up, so when you’re ready, why not do a piece about the Phoenix Cinema, East Finchley. It’s one of the oldest cinemas in the country (?doors first opened in 1912) and belongs to the local community. Recently they vetoed a suggestion that it joins the Curzon chain. It has a fine art deco interior, recently restored.

By: Laura Williamson

Laura Williamson — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 11:52:08 +0000

This is all so wrong and the ‘plan’ looks utterly ridiculous.

I cannot believe that London does not still have ample examples of shoddy 60s/70s buildings that have no identifiable history and architectural merit, which would be no loss and all gain if replaced by something new.

I’m not against new buildings and new architecture, cities evolve, as London has, but it feels to me that it is currently on course to become a low rent low rise version of New York, losing in the process so many things that contribute to its uniqueness and without NYCs particular grandeur. What will be left?

By: Paul Loften

Paul Loften — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 10:59:28 +0000

Ah yes ! the cinematographic theaters sadly have all but gone and Monty Pyke’s cinema was particularly fine example judging from the picture of the ornate interior . It must have been a nice evening out back in the 20’s when it was first built . Over the years many of the local cinemas gradually deteriorated and I recall our very small local one in Keninghall road in Clapton became fondly known as the “Fleapit “. However these local focal points of entertainment all had their own heyday and for every family that lived in the area there are personal memories of visits .For the children it was the Saturday morning film clubs .
I have a personal memory of one event at at our local Keninghall road cinema in it heyday. It must have been around 1961. There was a film starring Diana Dors and it was advertised that she would be making a personal appearance at the cinema for the films first showing . There we were in the evening with mum and dad in the big crowd outside and the Rolls Royce drew up and out she stepped onto the red carpet in her low cut glittering gown and everybody rushed forward for a better view . The flash bulbs from the press cameras popped as the melee ensued. I remember my father fighting his way to the front of the crowd in his flat cap to get a first rate view of Miss Dors casting my poor mother and me adrift in the exited mob. He suffered a week in the doghouse without a word spoken for that. !

By: Mathilde Grange

Mathilde Grange — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 10:27:26 +0000

How very sad and to destroy wonderful buildings – that could be put to use – just to build yet another hotel lacking any personality. Apparently nothing is worth keeping as long as some money can be made out of destroying it.