Locals Give Pavilion Theater Condo Project Renderings Thumbs Down

July 27, 2015 — It's been a while since we last heard about Hidrock Realty's plans to convert the Pavilion Theater in Park Slope into 24 condos, a retail space, a 16-car parking garage and a "high-quality" cinema. Well, the first renderings are out and locals are giving the developer a good old-fashioned New York thumbs down. According to DNAinfo, "locals slammed the proposed design for a new five-story condo building next to the Pavilion Theater at a meeting Thursday [last week], with some comparing the new structure to a 'penitentiary in Sunset Park.'" Ouch. Although Community Board 6's Landmarks and Land Use Committee gave Hidrock Realty's plans the green light, it did so on the condition that architects tone down the design. The committee wants to see a less bright brick color and for the five-story building to be set back so it looks less bulky. "The base of new building should be more reflective of the residential character of Bartel-Pritchard Square," said Community Board 6 member Jerry Armer to DNAinfo. Although the developer's architects and preservation consultants insist "that they had tried to design the new condo building to echo Park Slope's famed late 19th century architecture," it looks like Hidrock is going back to the drawing board. "A spokesman for Hidrock said the developer is 'optimistic' that the design can be tweaked in response to locals' concerns," DNAinfo reported. Meanwhile, the "Landmarks Preservation Commission will review Hidrock's plans Aug. 4 and the developer will also need a zoning variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals to move the project forward."

Rendering: Hidrock Realty