Sunshine Cinema To Be Demolished

LOWER EAST SIDE, NY — The historic Landmark Sunshine Cinema will be completely demolished by developers, according to demolition permits approved by the city last week.

The Lower East Side movie theater, located at 143 E. Houston St., will be turned into an office building and retail shops, according to the building's new owner. The three-story building that houses the cinema will be completely torn down to make way for the new development, according to the demolition permits.

In May, East End Capital and K Property Group purchased the building for $31.5 million. At the time, developers indicated that they might salvage part of the theater, or build around it. The plans filed last week call for the entire building to be razed.

"East End is planning to re-develop the building into a mixed-use retail and office project," according to a note on the developer's website. "While pursuing tenants interested in utilizing the structure in its current form, work is also underway for a new, best-in-class office building with retail at the base."

Ground breaking is expected to begin in 2018, according to East End. The Landmark Theatre lease also ends in 2018.

The Landmark Theatre chain re-opened the LES cinema in 2001 after restoring the iconic exterior of the building, which was built in 1898.

The theater chain is planning on opening a theater in Hell's Kitchen in September.

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