Fight To Save Grand Prospect Hall Not Yet Over, Neighbors Say

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — Neighbors working to save Park Slope's historic Grand Prospect Hall say there is still hope to preserve the venue despite news that much of its lavish interior has already been lost.

"It's not about looking back now — it's about saving the physicality of this space," Jim Glaser, one of the neighbors leading the charge, said at a rally at the building Monday. "...They have not begun the structural demolition."

"I have hope," added Solya Spiegel, one of two teenagers who started a petition to save the venue.

Monday's rally comes a few days after photos in Gothamist revealed the extent to which the interior of the banquet hall has been gutted from its original grandeur, which has served as the backdrop for movies, photoshoots, beloved local commercials that spawned an SNL parody and thousands of local events held at the building since the late 19th century.

A demolition permit for the interior non-structural elements inside the building was granted in late July, records show, shortly after electrical contractor Angelo Rigas bought the property from longtime owner Alice Halkias. Halkias owned the venue with her husband, Michael, who died during the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesperson for Rigas told Gothamist that the interior fixtures were already gone when they took over the property. Rigas and his attorney did not reply to requests for comment from Patch.

Given the internal work, activists have now set their sights on saving the facade of the building.

Their hope is any development the new owners want to build on the property can be constructed around and above the four-story venue, allowing it to still be used for events. Rigas' spokesperson told Gothamist the plan is to build a "low-scale residential building with an affordable component" at the site.

"We understand real estate is a business and this guy is looking for his money — that is fine," Glaser said. "There is plenty of property here to build around this one spot. If he does it he can come out of this a hero."

Grand Prospect Hall was one of 12 properties on Prospect Avenue that Rigas purchased earlier this year.

The fight to save the facade will also be a race against the clock given an application for full demolition is pending with the Department of Buildings. The application, also filed in July, is stalled given missing documents required for its review, a DOB spokesperson said.

Activists fear the new owners are gearing up to take those next steps soon given sidewalk sheds that went up at the property over the weekend.

"We believe the destruction of the facade is imminent," Glaser said.

Spiegel said Monday that the group is still waiting to hear back about a Request for Evaluation they sent to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, whose designation could preserve the hall.

City Council Member Brad Lander and Assembly Member Robert Carroll have also written to the commission.

On Monday, Park Sloper and Mayor Bill de Blasio also pledged to help see if the facade can be saved. He told reporters that he only recently found out about the sale of Grand Prospect Hall.

"It’s a great question whether the facade could be saved,” he said. “I certainly would love to see that happen. I’m going to see what the city can do to make that happen."