palace Theatre
New York, NY | 40,000 SF | 2024
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Designed by Milwaukee architects Kirchhoff & Rose, and built by the vaudeville mogul Martin Beck in 1913, the much-celebrated Palace Theatre was designated an interior NYC landmark in 1987. In its lifetime, the Palace Theatre has been transformed from vaudeville playhouse to movie house to performing arts theater, hosting major Broadway stars such as Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, and Meryl Streep. Following a major restoration led by PBDW, the theater is poised to begin the next chapter in its storied life.
In 2013, PBDW was engaged to design TSX Broadway: a redevelopment project featuring entertainment and hospitality programing, including the visionary raising of the Palace Theater 30 feet above grade to allow for retail use below. PBDW supported the client’s vision through numerous project presentations to community constituents and authorities having jurisdiction, obtaining preliminary zoning, LPC, DOB and other regulatory approvals through late 2016. PBDW subsequently focused exclusively on restoring the landmark theater, as preservation architect.
PBDW’s scope as preservation architect covered the theater restoration as well as substantial infrastructural upgrades. We developed an elegant new finishes palette and sensitively designed new light fixtures inspired by the no longer extant original fixtures, including a new chandelier over the orchestra. Select salvaged elements were repurposed as wayfinding signage. PBDW collaborated with consultants on a campaign of finishes investigation and analysis, investigative probes, non-destructive evaluations, and on monitoring vibration and environmental conditions throughout the construction process. Interior restoration included historic flat and decorative cast plaster, marble, cast-iron guardrails, decorative grilles, and wood trims and moldings. Exterior restoration included terracotta, flat terracotta arches, and repairs to brick and granite elements.
The TSX Broadway development provides the theater with a new lobby on 47th Street, code compliant and accessible front and back of house amenities, a new double height gridiron, new orchestra pit and stage lifts, new trap room and follow spot booth, and new theatrical equipment, enhancing the theater’s operations.
As a result of this transformation, the Palace Theater has been elevated—physically, functionally, and experientially,—its intended level of grandeur restored, and its spectacular, unique interior and rich history returned to the spotlight. -
Theater Architect of Record and Preservation Architect: PBDW Architects (Scott Duenow, James Seger, Debora Barros, Brigitte Cook, Sean King, Brooke Collaer, Leonardo Garcia, Kristin Bauer, Michael Neglia, Jennifer Whisenhunt, Leza Rozmarek, Nick Shrier, Kylee Pearson, Kamay Jin, Marshall Sellers, Vikrant Dalvi, Cornell Chu, Jack Rutka, Edward May, Laura Boynton, Lawrence Chen, Heidi Kippenhan)
Architect of Record (FOH/BOH and Tower): Mancini Duffy
MEP Engineer: Cosentini Associates, Inc.
Theatrical Consultant: Theatre Projects
Structural Engineer: Severud Associates Consulting Engineers, P.C, and Robert Silman Associates Structural Engineers, DPC (Peer review)
Theater Lift Engineer: Urban Foundation Engineering LLC
Structural Review of Plaster Framing and Select Material Analysis: Wiss, Janney, Elster Associates, Inc.
Kitchen: Next Step Design
Code Consulting: Design 2147 and Rizzo Group
Conservator: Jablonski Building Conservation, Inc.
Lighting Designer: Fisher Marantz Stone and Reveal Design Group
Acoustical Consultant: Jaffe Holden
Elevator Consultant: Vidaris, Inc.and IROS Elevator Design Services
Historic Preservation Speciality Contractor: EverGreene Architectural Arts
Construction Manager: Structure Tone Building Group (Theater), Pavarini McGovern (Entertainment, Hospitality, and Retail)
Archival Research: Higgins Quasebarth
Owner’s Representative: PRA Consulting
Photography: Michael Neglia/PBDW Architects
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The Chicago Athenaeum, American Architecture Award, 2025
New York Landmarks Conservancy, Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award, 2025
Citation for Innovation in Preservation, AIA New York Chapter, 2025
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https://www.nytimes.com/card/2024/05/22/theater/palace-theater-renovation
“In the News: June 5, 2024: TSX Broadway in Times Square Slated to Open Late Summer,” AIA New York
“First Look: The Newly Renovated Palace Theatre on Broadway,” Broadway Direct
“The Nederlander Organization on Welcoming Audiences Back to the Palace Theater,” Broadway Direct
“Photos: Inside the Renovated, and 29 Feet Higher, Palace Theatre on Broadway,” Playbill
“How a 7,000 Ton Broadway Theater was Hoisted 30 Feet,” NY Times
“A Performance Fit for Broadway,” Civil and Structural Engineer Media
“1st look inside Broadway's iconic Palace Theatre, now 30 feet above Times Square,” ABC 7 NY
“Why New York’s Iconic Palace Theatre is being raised 30 feet…,” Fast Company
“Historic Palace Theater begins 30-foot rise over Times Square for $2.5B TSX Broadway hotel,” 6sqft
“NYC’s Historic Palace Theatre Begins Lift to Hover 30 Feet Over Times Square,” Untapped New York
“Legendary Palace Theatre is Moving On Up — 30 Feet to be Exact," W42ST.com
“Broadway’s Palace Theatre Has Begun Its 8 Week, 30 Foot Ascent,” Observer
“Iconic Broadway theater being lifted 30 feet above Times Square,” ABC 7 NY
“Palace Theatre Begins 30-ft Climb Into TSX Broadway,” ENR New York
“Times Square Palace Theater Will Be Raised 30 Feet Above Street Level,” Leverage
“Photo: Construction Continues to Lift the Palace Theatre in Times Square,” Broadway World
“Photo: Get A Peek Inside the Palace Theatre Renovation,” Broadway World
“Times Square’s Palace Theatre overhaul includes outdoor stage and ‘ball drop’ suites,” 6sqft
“How B'Way's Famed Palace Theatre Will Rise to New Heights,” NY1
“Plan for new $2.5B Times Square tower faces unique challenge,” New York Post
“Images reveal historic plans for $2.5 billon Times Square redevelopment,” CLADglobal
“In Times Square, two historic theaters get ready for the spotlight once again,” Curbed New York
“Times Square’s Palace Theater to Get $2B Revamp, Hotel,” Curbed New York
“New York City’s Palace Theatre to Be Elevated in Hotel Project,” The Wall Street Journal
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