DeCapuaDescendent

Does anyone with Little Italy history information know if anything remains of the theater and meeting rooms of what was once called Garibaldi Hall at 2021-23 Murray Hill Road? This particular building was built in about 1905 and finally dedicated in July of 1907. From images I have looked at, the 2021 address now houses an art gallery and 2023 is a law office. Originally, Garibaldi Hall was built to not only serve as a meeting place for the local Italians but a 300 seat theater was also built here, in order that italian operas could be performed there. Shortly thereafter, the 3rd part of the building, 2025 Murray Hill, also added, and built as a small movie theater, in about 1911, (well before the Mayfield Theater was built in 1922). My guess is that at some point over the years, this building was gutted and the interior redesigned, but I thought I would ask. Thanks again. Jeff

Jeff, to the best of my knowledge, he is still the same legal owner. That place is truly a gem, and hopefully it can get renovated in my lifetime! Thanks. It sounds like the current owner is more of a restauranteur? I would just hope that he doesnt take an historical theater, built in 1923, tear out the seats and screen and make it into yet another club, lounge etc. That would be a travesty. I would think, (parking difficulties aside) that a restored and revamped movie theater would do fantastic there--for the immediate locals, students, and those in the vicinity. Old films, foreign screenings, revivals. What better marriage than that--with patrons then going next door or down the block for coffee, espresso, great italian desserts, or dinner, either before or after a showing. Id love to do that with the Mayfield. I think it would be a great success, keeping it as a movie house, 600 seats and all. :clap: Jeff

Your photos are really great. Can i ask what kind of camera you used ? (make and model)? Cheers Jeff

Thanks for that link. Some great shots you took! I was only giving a little history of my family's connection to Little Italy, as a bit of an intro. :-) The last time I walked thru LI, a couple summers ago, it was looking wonderful. I was curious about the Theater, because, even in 2010, it was still closed off and looking as it has for a number of years. Jeff

Hello All, I just signed up today and have been looking for a site/thread that deals specifically with Little Italy. I currently reside in Los Angeles, but my great great grandfather settled in , and dealt in real estate in Little Italy from the mid 1890s thru 1928. He owned and had a number of offices and homes (as well as his siblings and their children) who lived in and owned, among other properties, what was the bank building on the corner of Mayfield Rd and Murray Hill (Corbos was in the corner location before they moved next door), as well as the the original builder (and owner) of what is now Primo Vino Restaurant, located at 12511 Mayfield. In scanning the thread, I was looking to see if there was any updated news on the status of the Mayfield Theater? And is the current owner still the owner of La Dolce Vita? Thanks. Jeff