Inside The Amphitheater At Coney Island Boardwalk

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Coney Island's newest coming attraction is an outdoor concert venue that will host the likes of Sting and Peter Gabriel, and Kool and the Gang this summer.

Just beyond the Parachute Jump, the Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk is taking shape.

"It is a 5,000-seat amphitheater, yet it has a great feel of intimacy," general manager Alan Newman said.

The stage juts out of an historic landmark.

"This brick building was built in 1923 as the Childs building's flagship restaurant," said Julia Butler, executive vice president for developer iStar.

The building closed in 1952 and was converted into a chocolate factory where Peeps were once made. Landmarked by the city in 2002, but exposed to the sea air, it was crumbling. It's terracotta ocean scenes chipped and cracked.

"We actually brought out a painter from Holland because it had to be done in the old methods and the method of painting these pieces is as intricate as it gets," Butler said.

The restaurant will open next year.

The concert hall, which is fully covered from the elements, opens in June.

Over 40 shows are booked this summer. Click here to check out the full concert line-up.