Delacorte Theater renovation to begin in Fall 2022

After being announced in Fall 2018 and delayed because of Covid, the Public Theater will begin a somewhat scaled-down version of its Delacorte Theater renovation this Fall. The project will cost $77mil (the original plans were for a $110mil upgrade), and $41mil of the cost is being contributed by the city. Exact start dates are pending city approval.

Here are details from Gothamist and from the press release. Among the highlights:

– Upgraded accessibility for audience and artists
– All-new seating, with a similar number of seats as it currently holds (1,872)
– Streamlined backstage operations and improved spaces for cast/crew
– A more resilient stage deck
– New lighting towers
– Improved sprinkler and fire alarms
– Expanded bathrooms!!!!!!!



Here is a rendering of the new canted exterior. No renderings were provided for the interior of the theatre.

Updated On: 12/8/21 at 03:40 PM

RippedMan said: "Blow my mind that all that cost $77m. But I'm happy it's getting an updated stage. I love seeing what they do with that space. And glad a lot of attention was put into the backstage area for the crew and performers."

You think $77M is too much or too little?

Yes, I'm happy for all who work there that they're making the space more user-friendly for people on all sides of production + audiences.

MezzA101 said: "First look: Peek inside the newly renovated Delacorte Theater in Central Park

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/first-look-peek-inside-the-newly-renovated-delacorte-theater-in-central-park-071525"

I love how their headline says “Peek inside” and then the article shows us absolutely zero photos of the inside, just two photos of the outside (one of which is covered in streamers) and a link to an Instagram video with clips of the outside.

Updated On: 7/16/25 at 06:59 AM

Inside the $85 Million Renovation of Central Park’s Home for Shakespeare

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/theater/delacorte-shakespeare-renovation.html?unlocked_article_code=1.cU8.BEkY.DItTkIUknjxL&smid=nytcore-android-share

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Updated On: 8/17/25 at 01:22 PM