After decades of decay, Queens’ long-abandoned “Tent of Tomorrow” will now light up the night sky.
Tower known beyond New York for being built for the 1964 World’s Fair and playing a spaceship in 1997’s “Men in Black” currently Under renovation and has recently been fitted with lights.
They were formally commissioned for the first time last Saturday.
“Perhaps the most iconic landmark in our park system, the NYS Pavilion at Flushing Meadows Corona Park is a reminder of our city’s historic past, and a beacon toward the future,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue in a press release,
The new, “dynamic architectural lighting” is part of a larger $24 million rehabilitation of the vacant observation towers that dot the park.
Saturday’s second world green light display at the architectural behemoths marked the completion of the first phase of structural repairs on the outer borough oddities and the start of their careers as colorful beacons
The lights “will be lit every night, seven days a week,” the release announced.
For holidays and special events, they will follow “a specific schedule”. come la Empire State Building, which sometimes Expresses controversial sports decisions With its own light display.
Once finished, the renovation – the first major conservation project since the towers were built nearly 60 years ago – will also allow for “limited guided tours of the towers”.
Though oddly shaped to many on the skyline, the Old New York Pavilion has a sacred cultural history.
In addition to having a highly visible, popular exhibition of works by Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein at the World’s Fair — and making a cameo in the blockbuster Will Smith flick — the buildings served as the home of the Queens Playhouse.
The theater then ceased operations in 1985, after which the structures fell into disrepair.