Checking in on Times Square Theater’s revival project

It’s been almost a year since we last discussed the revival of historic Times Square Theater, which is undergoing a major $100 million renovation after being vacant for thirty years.

The Neoclassical structure, located at 215 West 42nd Street, was built in 1920 by DeRosa and Pereira and is being renovated by Beyer Blinder Belle—a firm with extensive knowledge of historic renovations—and converted into a 52,000-square-foot retail space by Stillman Development International.

Several historic details will be preserved including the building’s Indiana limestone facade and sgraffito details. As far as its interiors, construction firm Shawmut—part of the renovation team—has removed and will reinstall a large plaster ceiling dome and sail vault. According to Untapped Cities, the last remaining cast iron gate on the facade will be restored off-site by John Tiedemann, Inc., which also worked on the Woolworth Building restoration.

Here are some photos from before:

Beyer Blinder Belle

Sabine Weiss

Langdon Clay

And the project’s renderings:

Stillman Development International

The renovated six-story building, expected to be completed by 2020, will be covered in glass on its second floor, overlooking 42nd Street, and will have additional floors including an outdoor rooftop restaurant

Back in 1990, the New 42nd Street nonprofit was formed by city and state officials to oversee the redevelopment of several historic theaters in the area. The Times Square Theater is the last part of a group of theaters to be redeveloped, according to the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), which manages the properties in the overall project.