6. The Brooklyn Kings Theatre Was Once Abandoned

The newly reopened Brooklyn Kings Theatre in Flatbush was one of the 5 Loew’s Wonder Theatres in the New York City area – theaters so opulent, you have to see them to believe it. Yet, the Kings Theatre had been closed since 1977 and fallen into such disrepair, it cost $95 million to rehabiltate it in a joint effort from the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

When renovations started, the ceiling and one wall had collapsed, and bats had taken up residence in the theater (along with their guano). After a three year renovation, the Brooklyn Kings Theatre reopened to great fanfare in 2015, welcoming Diana Ross for the opening performance.

Read about 10 secrets of the Brooklyn Kings Theatre.