Shubert will renovate & expand the Imperial Theatre

Similar to the Cort/JEJ Theatre renovation, this will build an “annex” to the west of the theatre (currently a vacant lot owned by Shubert).

The annex will vastly expand lobby spaces and theater entrances to reduce bottlenecking, add restrooms, storage, and more. There will also be added lounge space and office space. As with other Shubert renovations, they will also meticulously restore some details within the auditorium — though it appears that most of this work will not impact the backstage areas, unlike the JEJ.

If you scroll through this doc, there are some interior and exterior renderings starting on page 57.

https://www.nyc.gov/assets/lpc/downloads/pdf/presentation-materials/20241217/249-West-45th-Street.pdf?ref=broadwaynews.com

As with all these things, I can’t imagine work will happen in the immediate future…this stuff takes time. But it all seems like a logical and necessary renovation that will be a big win for audiences!

Updated On: 12/20/24 at 11:16 AM

It’s a shame the Imperial’s facade was not landmarked.

If the Shuberts are in the renovating mood, maybe they can finally gut the Broadhurst and redo the seating so it's not actually painful to see a show there.

I was so sad when "Mamma Mia" closed there after only 2 years. I wanted it to run forever so I'd never have to see another show in that theater.

Is the 46th Street side of the exterior landmarked?

You’re right that this has not yet been approved, but I think it’s safe to assume that it WILL be, as they’re not trying to do something crazy here.

How long did the Cort reno take? That might be a good comparison, tho maybe this one would take even less time. Wonder how much of the annex can be built before they have to start on the existing structure.

Herbert Krapp was an absolute master.

I feel like the Cort/Jones took 18 months or two years.

Updated On: 12/20/24 at 03:07 PM

Jordan Catalano said: "If the Shuberts are in the renovating mood, maybe they can finally gut the Broadhurst and redo the seating so it's not actually painful to see a show there."

Problem with the Broadhurst is it has the perfect number of seats for a lot of shows (it’s a little bigger than the average playhouse, but you don’t need to fill 1400 seats like at the Shubert or Imperial or WG). I haven’t sat upstairs there in a number of years.

The choice to renovate the Imperial feels like a function of the lot being available and they might as well do something with it instead of letting it sit empty. I recall at one point they were discussing a new theatre being built there, and then a hotel.

BJR said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "I recall at one point they were discussing a new theatre being built there, and then a hotel."

Such a shame they couldn't get the new theatre in there. Am I making it up it was going to be a flexible space?"

You are correct. It was announced then retracted back in 2017.

https://variety.com/2017/legit/news/new-broadway-theater-not-happening-shubert-1202554123/

From looking at the plans it looks like they'll have an elevator and escalators (or maybe I mistook them for stairs) in the added 'annex'. Back in 2014 I recall that empty lot was a tent called the Kazino that hosted the off-Bway show Natasha Pierre & Great Comet of 1812.

I'm glad they are renovating the Imperial and I hope they soundproof it too so we won't hear noise from the street outside.

It also looks like the 2nd floor event space can be accessible from a separate entrance from the theatre. I wonder if they could be aiming for a Shubert-owned equivalent of Bar Centrale?

willep said: "What a bummer to lose another nice marquee."

...Who says the new marquee won't be nice? We haven't seen more than a drawing yet! In theory, I like the idea of Shubert switching all their signs to vertical on 45th.

Of all the theatre exteriors, the Imperial has never been my fave.

If the windows are your issue, the existing facade already has a lot of large, modern-looking windows.



Hopefully this can also improve the 46th Street side, which has always looked forgotten to me.

Updated On: 12/21/24 at 12:23 PM

I think this is great. I have always wanted to like the Imperial, because have seen a lot of great shows in it, starting with Zero Mostel in Fiddler in early 1966. But it must be one of the worst theatres when it comes to public spaces, rest rooms, etc. That men's room on the second floor must be among the 2 or 3 worst in the entire theatre district).

After they do this one, they should figure out how to improve the rest rooms in the Winter Garden; the stairs down to the men's room on the first level are just awful, almost dangerous.

@everythingtaboo - At the JEJ, what's in place of the original basement bathrooms now? I recall there are also bathrooms on multiple levels now, right?