See more renderings of historic Times Square Theater’s $100M overhaul

In October 2017, Stillman Development International signed a 73-year lease on the Times Square Theater, with plans to overhaul the historic venue, which has been closed for the last 30 years, with a $100 million renovation. Headed by Beyer Blinder Belle, the project includes lifting the limestone facade of the theater five feet, restoring original design elements, and adding 52,000 square feet of retail. With the plaster removal process officially underway, more renderings have been released that show off the large terraces, an outdoor rooftop restaurant, and two-story glass box that will cantilever over 42nd Street.

Times Square Theater in 1949, courtesy of Beyer Blinder Belle

Interior of the theater in 1920, courtesy of Beyer Blinder Belle

Designed by Eugene De Rosa, the Times Square Theater opened at 215 West 42nd Street in 1920. After operating as a Broadway theater, the building became a cinema. The theater closed in 1990 and the city took possession of the property.

The plaster ceiling dome, proscenium arch, box seat, and canopy structures will be removed and restored off-site by plaster artisan Ray Tiedemann. When the new building is built, the elements will be reinstalled on the third and fourth floors. A curved staircase will lead to the rooftop and provide visitors an up-close look at the plaster details.

The theater’s original columns and sgraffito interior will remain, visible through a glass-enclosed box on the second floor. The 23-foot-tall overhang cantilevers out from the original facade and over 42nd Street.

As 6sqft learned last year, Stillman is looking at global brands as tenants at the new space, including Apple and Coca-Cola Co. Removal of the plaster has begun and the facade will be lifted this fall. Colliers International is handling leasing, and the project is expected to wrap up by 2021.

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Renderings courtesy of Stillman Development International; Photos courtesy of Beyer Blinder Belle