The Fort Lee Film Commission asks you to sign our online petition to save the Champion Studio, which is the oldest standing studio building left in the United States. Built in 1910, it was purchased by movie pioneer Carl Laemmle in 12 and became the first home to Universal Studios when that studio was born in 1912. Universal owned and operated the studio until 1923 when it was sold for use as a printing plant, which it was until mid 2013. Since then the building has been sold and is before the Englewood Cliffs, NJ Zoning Board as the new owner plans to demolish the building and replace it with a new building.
Though the building sits a few feet from the Fort Lee border in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, all primary source material from the time the studio plant was in operation indicate it was considered located in the Coytesville section of Fort Lee. The Fort Lee Film Commission has won a Bergen County History Grant to produce a documentary of the history of this studio and the work is presently in post production. We are working with the Englewood Cliffs Historical Committee to bring greater awareness to the history of this site.
Please sign and pass along this petition. The Fort Lee Film Commission will present the petition to the Englewood Cliffs Mayor & Council and we would like the deadline for signatures to be January 1, 2014 as our time is limited as the building may come down anytime if the Englewood Cliffs Zoning Board grants the variance.
Please help us save this most important piece of world cinema history.|See the link below for a recent article about this fight to save our history:
http://www.northjersey.com/community/history/more_history_news/In_Englewood_Cliffs_a_part_of_movie_history_is_facing_destruction_.html
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
December 12, 2013
104 Comments
My family history goes back almost 100 years in the film industry. My mother had worked for years in Consolidated on Main St. and mt grandfather had abusiness that transported scenery from N.Y.C. to and from Paragon Studios. Please see to it that this structure is saved as a National Historic Landmark.
Lucky Goldstar should demonstrate their commitment to EC by buying this property and reviving a piece of history in their 'new' North American HQs.
As a film historian, I welcome the opportunity to sign this petition. Please, let's do what we can to save the Champion Studio building from the wrecking ball.
I grew up less the 200 feet from this building and even as a child I knew of it's significant historical background. It became one of my inspirations to go into the enterainment industry and work in film. If I had the money I would restore it as a cultural museum on the history of the start of filmmaking that began in Coytesville, NJ.
What's the matter with USA? Europe, Asia, Africa, South America all have preserved their HISTORIC EDIFICES thousands of years old. In this country, developers rip down any structure no matter its historic significance for private profiteering. Show respect for our significant contribution to a global industry, take pride & promote it's local value instead of destroying.
save The Oldest Standing Studio In The USA!!!
What if Italy did the same? There would be no Colliseum, Apian Way, Other countries preserve and protect their Heritage sites. It's embarassing how this country embraces "DISPOSABILITY" both of our Historical buildings. The NY Public Library is also under threat of the wrecking ball. Take pride, celebrate our heritage. Help preserve the bits left.
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The Fort Lee Film Commission asks you to sign our online petition to save the Champion Studio, which is the oldest standing studio building left in the United States. Built in 1910, it was purchased by movie pioneer Carl Laemmle in 12 and became the first home to Universal Studios when that studio was born in 1912. Universal owned and operated the studio until 1923 when it was sold for use as a printing plant, which it was until mid 2013. Since then the building has been sold and is before the Englewood Cliffs, NJ Zoning Board as the new owner plans to demolish the building and replace it with a new building.
Though the building sits a few feet from the Fort Lee border in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, all primary source material from the time the studio plant was in operation indicate it was considered located in the Coytesville section of Fort Lee. The Fort Lee Film Commission has won a Bergen County History Grant to produce a documentary of the history of this studio and the work is presently in post production. We are working with the Englewood Cliffs Historical Committee to bring greater awareness to the history of this site.
Please sign and pass along this petition. The Fort Lee Film Commission will present the petition to the Englewood Cliffs Mayor & Council and we would like the deadline for signatures to be January 1, 2014 as our time is limited as the building may come down anytime if the Englewood Cliffs Zoning Board grants the variance.
Please help us save this most important piece of world cinema history.|See the link below for a recent article about this fight to save our history:
http://www.northjersey.com/community/history/more_history_news/In_Englewood_Cliffs_a_part_of_movie_history_is_facing_destruction_.html
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
December 12, 2013
104 Comments
For a while right across the road from this. While in his youth my grandpa was an extra working at this studio as a "Keystone Cop" extra before they moved the studio to CA for better weather conditions.
My family history goes back almost 100 years in the film industry. My mother had worked for years in Consolidated on Main St. and mt grandfather had abusiness that transported scenery from N.Y.C. to and from Paragon Studios. Please see to it that this structure is saved as a National Historic Landmark.
Lucky Goldstar should demonstrate their commitment to EC by buying this property and reviving a piece of history in their 'new' North American HQs.
As a film historian, I welcome the opportunity to sign this petition. Please, let's do what we can to save the Champion Studio building from the wrecking ball.
I grew up less the 200 feet from this building and even as a child I knew of it's significant historical background. It became one of my inspirations to go into the enterainment industry and work in film. If I had the money I would restore it as a cultural museum on the history of the start of filmmaking that began in Coytesville, NJ.
What's the matter with USA? Europe, Asia, Africa, South America all have preserved their HISTORIC EDIFICES thousands of years old. In this country, developers rip down any structure no matter its historic significance for private profiteering. Show respect for our significant contribution to a global industry, take pride & promote it's local value instead of destroying.
save The Oldest Standing Studio In The USA!!!
What if Italy did the same? There would be no Colliseum, Apian Way, Other countries preserve and protect their Heritage sites. It's embarassing how this country embraces "DISPOSABILITY" both of our Historical buildings. The NY Public Library is also under threat of the wrecking ball. Take pride, celebrate our heritage. Help preserve the bits left.
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For a while right across the road from this. While in his youth my grandpa was an extra working at this studio as a "Keystone Cop" extra before they moved the studio to CA for better weather conditions.