The Childs Restaurants building on the Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn, New York City is a designated New York City landmark. Like Coney Island in general, it had a glorious past, a long period of decline and decay, followed by a spectacular rebirth in recent years.
In 2009, a 19-block rezoning created a 27-acre amusement and entertainment district in Coney Island, along with plans to develop new amusements and thousands of housing units, both affordable and market-rate. Full implementation of the plan is expected to generate up to 6,000 permanent jobs, 25,000 construction jobs, and $14 billion in economic activity.
Abandoned restaurant building in 2015.
Photo credit: Jim Henderson via Wikipedia
The latest triumph in this grant revitalization process is the revival of the long-vacant Childs building. Completed in 1923 for Childs Restaurants, an early restaurant chain and one of the largest in the United States at that time.
Designed in a “resort style with Spanish Revival influence”, it featured colorful exterior terra cotta ornamentation referencing its seaside location, with depictions of Poseidon, sailing ships, and sea creatures. Childs was a very large restaurant, with three stories and a roof garden.
Childs vacated the property in 1952. The building was used as a candy factory for over 50 years, but then sat vacant and decrepit until late 2013, when the New York City Council approved plans to redevelop the building as part of a new entertainment venue called the Seaside Park and Community Arts Center.
Childs building in November of 2013.
Photo by Peter Greenberg via Wikipedia
In May of 2017, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), iStar, Live Nation, and Legends Hospitality, cut the ribbon on the restored Childs Building.
It marked the opening of Kitchen 21, a five-concept restaurant adjacent to the new Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk that will bring new dining options to both residents and visitors.
NYCEDC brokered the deal for the Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk and the adaptive reuse of the adjacent Childs Building with iStar and nonprofit Coney Island USA in 2014.
The restored building today.
This public-private partnership included $60 million in investment from the offices of the Brooklyn Borough President, the New York City Council, and the Mayor, to support the renovation of the Childs Building, in addition to property acquisition, development of the 5,000-seat amphitheater, and the creation of 40,000 square feet of open space.
The opening of Kitchen 21 created 138 new jobs, nearly 75% of which have gone to Brooklyn residents. The Ford Amphitheater and adjacent Kitchen 21 have created 300 living wage jobs in Coney Island. Through the City’s HireNYC program, both Kitchen 21 and the Ford Amphitheater have targeted local residents for available positions.
“Coney Island is booming,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President James Patchett. “Unprecedented investment is creating opportunities for residents and driving the neighborhood forward as one of the country’s landmark destinations. Kitchen 21 in the historic Childs Building will bring incredible dining experiences and another reason to visit the thriving amusement district.”
The new Kitchen 21, operated by Legends Hospitality, will bring a new a full-service restaurant to the Coney Island Boardwalk with five different settings and concepts in the renovated Childs Building:
- Boardwalk & Vine: a rooftop wine bar featuring proprietary Vintage 21 wines, local and esoteric selections, and limited menu;
- Test Kitchen: an outlet for culinarians to develop and experiment with new dishes and food concepts;
- The Café: a quick service and grab-and-go café, featuring sandwiches and salads;
- Community Clam Bar: a restaurant and bar specializing in fresh seafood, shareable dishes, and great beverages; and,
- Parachute Bar: a gastropub with 32 beers on tap and over a dozen more cans and bottles.
Last summer, Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYCEDC, iStar, Live Nation, and Legends Hospitality also opened the Ford Amphitheater, New York City’s first open-air concert venue. In its first season, the Amphitheater hosted almost 50 shows, including the Beach Boys, Sting, and Erykah Badu, among others.
The development is also considered environmentally sustainable, aiming to be LEED Silver certified. Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk is operated by Live Nation, which has secured a summer entertainment lineup that includes more than 40 concerts, as well as a variety of family shows, sports, comedy and multicultural events.
“The restoration and reactivation of the historic Childs Building is a much-welcomed addition to the year-round entertainment destination that Coney Island is becoming,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams. “My administration has made it a priority to ensure 365-day-a-year economic activity leads to widespread prosperity for the People’s Playground as well as the surrounding community. Winter, spring, summer, or fall, Coney Island has it all!”
“Kitchen 21 is an exciting and innovative new addition to Coney Island’s growing roster of culinary delights,” said Council Member Mark Treyger. “This foodie paradise promises to be a hit with visitors and, with employment opportunities for local residents, members of the community, as well.”
“Congratulations to another business that sees the potential in what Coney Island’s future has to bring. I am confident that we are seeing another puzzle piece in the bright future of this community,” said State Senator Diane Savino.
Coney Island now. Photo courtesy of
Alliance for Coney Island.
“We are ecstatic about the opening of Kitchen 21 on the historic Riegelmann Boardwalk,” said Alexandra Silversmith, Executive Director of the Alliance for Coney Island. “This addition, alongside the Ford Amphitheater, brings a new element of cuisine for any type of foodie to Coney Island. Bringing back to life the landmarked Child’s Restaurant is an experience visitors should not miss.”
The de Blasio administration has committed over $180 million toward infrastructure investments in Coney Island to activate more than 4,000 units of housing, open space, and new jobs. As part of the City’s ongoing efforts to drive economic development in Coney Island, NYCEDC and NYC Parks released a Request for Proposals (RFP) in early 2017 for the redevelopment of five parcels totaling 150,000 square feet alongside of the Thunderbolt, Wonder Wheel and other iconic Coney amusements.
New York City Economic Development Corporation is the City’s primary vehicle for promoting economic growth in each of the five boroughs. NYCEDC’s mission is to stimulate growth through expansion and redevelopment programs that encourage investment, generate prosperity and strengthen the City’s competitive position.
Unless otherwise credited, all photos courtesy of Kitchen 21.