Article on Pike’s opera House

A new opera house that is being built on 8th Avenue between 23rd and 24th street is nearing its completion. The theater is owned by Mr. Pike from Cincinnati. Its size measures 117 feet and 4 inches on the Avenue, and it has a depth of 325 feet. The construction began last October, but was slowed down by the rocky terrain of the site. The main foundation walls are two to three feet thick. The entire building has a very solid construction. The lodge house will contain two galleries which will be carried by two massive pillars. The architects gave much attention to the entrances and exits. The entrance on 8^th Avenue measures 25 feet, the one on 24^th street 24 feet. A separate entrance leads to the first balcony, and two more entrances measure 10 feet. There is another exit leading through the 18 feet wide theater lobby. The stage measures 82 by 76 feet and has a height of 49 feet. Not much can be said about the interior design yet. The proscenium boxes are supposed to be held in blue and white, the other boxes in white and gold. A 16 foot octagonal glass dome will be painted elaborately. The frontal façade of the theater on 8^th Avenue will be decorated with statues of Shakespeare, Mozart, Apollo, and muses. [More information about this venue can be found in annother article: NYSZ 08/15/67, p.8]