A Romanesque Revival church that dates back to 1864 is on the leasing market. Though its life as a religious institution ended 1980when an awesome lady bought it from the struggling dioceseits longstanding reincarnation as the Paul Robeson Theatre has attracted steadfast fans and even won over neighbors' hearts. Despite being landmarked in 2011, it's completely falling apart (because, allegedly, the owner couldn't afford to maintain it), but the stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and embellished balcony have got to appeal to someone, right? The theater's death has been prematurely mourned for a number of years now, and it looks like the owner finally abandoned trying to fix it up on the funds a theater brings in. This time, the church seeks a tenant who can pay $18,000 a month for the 8,000-square-foot main sanctuary plus 3,000 extra square feet on lower levels for offices and other uses. A musing: If the zoning could get changed, it just might be the most awesome church-to-single-family home conversion ever.
· Listing: 40 Greene Avenue [Keller Williams]
· Former Paul Robeson Theatre Space for Lease in Fort Greene [DNAinfo]
· Will the Curtain Come Down On The Paul Robeson Theatre? [Brooklyn Ink]
· Paul Robeson Theatre [Forgotten NY]
· Building of the Day; 40 Greene Avenue ['Stoner]
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