The vacant Veterans Memorial Building will be returning to its roots as the Hillcrest Theater and become a performing arts center, following its recent purchase by the owners of the nearby Tarrytown Music Hall.
The Friends of the Mozartina, the Music Hall’s nonprofit owner, acquired the 57 Main St. building on Dec. 10 to provide space for the Circus Arts program, music, theater and dance classes and rehearsals.
The space will also be available for comedy, music, theater and film presentations, receptions and community events, according to an announcement by the Music Hall.
“Our hope is that The Hillcrest Theater will be a welcome addition to Main Street, providing a learning and gathering place for children and adults, and keeping the restaurants and shops busy and full,” reads the Music Hall’s announcement.
The Hillcrest Theater was built as a movie theater in 1912. In the 1920s, according to the announcement. Robert Goldblatt, then owner of the Music Hall, acquired the building, presumably to squash the competition. He sold the theater to the veterans for $1 in the 1950s and it was their center of operations for several decades.
The building was eventually sold to Diamond Properties of Mount Kisco, which sold it to the Music Hall “for $1 plus several zeros,” according to the announcement.
The 4,200-square-foot building was listed at $1.2 million prior to the purchase. It will require about $2 million in renovations.
Music Hall Board of Directors member Peter Fisch of the law firm Paul, Weiss donated time to handle the acquisition, along with colleague Konstantine Tettonis.
Although it’s being referred to as the Hillcrest Theater for the time being, naming rights to the theater are being offered to offset the cost of the purchase and renovations. Interested parties can contact Member Ambassador Amissa Rybak.
The Music Hall itself, which is celebrating its 140th year this month, underwent a full restoration in 2024, including elevators, renovated restrooms, new seating, heating and air conditioning. The work was completed by the architectural firm Mills & Schnoering.
The Hillcrest Theater will be folded into the Music Hall’s Master Plan as one, cohesive vision for the performing arts on Main Street.
Tax-deductible contributions are being sought to fund the Music Hall’s renovations, equipment upgrades and the cost related to the Hillcrest Theater. Visit the website’s donations page for information.
