Save the Playpen Theater!

To: Mr. Daniel R. Tishman, Chairman and CEO, Tishman Construction Corp.
The Hon. Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York
The Hon. Christine C. Quinn, Speaker, NYC Council (District 3)
The Hon. Scott M. Stringer, Manhattan Borough President
The Hon. Jessica S. Lappin, NYC Council Member (District 5); Chair, Land Use Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Siting and Maritime Use
The Hon. Amanda M. Burden, Chair, New York City Planning Commission
The Hon. Robert B. Tierney, Chairman, NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission
Mr. Jean-Daniel Noland, Chair, Community Board 4 (CB4)

Dear Mr. Tishman & Elected Officials,

We, the undersigned, recognize the history of the Playpen Theater, which has stood at 693 8th Avenue at 44th Street, New York City, for over 91 years. Operating under the names of the Ideal, Esquire, Squire, Cinecitta, New Cameo, Cameo, Adonis, and the Playpen, this theater has survived over 9 decades of the City's development.

Built in the Beaux-Arts style in 1916 by S. Eisendrath & B. Horowitz, the same architects of Brooklyn's landmarked Congregation Beth Elohim synagogue, the architecture of this structure should be preserved for future generations.

We recognize that the theater was a neighborhood theater from 1916 until the 1930s, when it became a leading "arthouse" and foreign film cinema for over 40 years. Thus this building is a vibrant thread in the fabric of our City's cultural history.

Thus, to lose the Playpen Theater would be a tragic misfortune for the citizens of the City of New York.

We call upon you, Mr. Tishman, to save the theater from demolition.

We call upon you, New York City officials and the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, to save the theater, to "list" it under the Special Theater Subdistrict zoning laws, and to protect the Playpen Theater as a New York City landmark as soon as possible.