NewsPHOTO CALL: A Look Inside the City Center RenovationCity Center, the Manhattan venue originally built in 1923 and later dedicated by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia in 1943 as Manhattan's first performing arts center, is currently undergoing a $75 million renovation.
By
Matthew Blank
September 01, 2011
Changes include "a new canopy on the exterior with additional exterior lighting and signage. . . In the interior, the original box office lobby and mezzanine lobby will be faithfully restored, and several dramatic new spaces will be introduced, including an expanded and redesigned street level lobby and a new patrons' lounge that capitalizes on an existing alley space. The number of restroom facilities of the theater will be increased by 50 percent. Upgrades to the auditorium will include the re-sloping of the floors to improve sightlines within the house, and the reconfiguration, respacing and resizing of theater seating throughout to make it compatible with contemporary standards and to provide more comfort and improved ADA accessibility for all patrons."
Here is a look at the renovation in action:
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A Look Inside the City Center Renovation
A Look Inside the City Center Renovation
City Center, the Manhattan venue originally built in 1923 and later dedicated by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia in 1943 as Manhattan's first performing arts center, is currently undergoing a $75 million renovation.
26 PHOTOS
The carpeting was one of the first things to go.
Luke Szczygielski
Marked for demolition...
Luke Szczygielski
Stripping chairs from the balcony.
Luke Szczygielski
Chair removal moves downstairs to the orchestra.
Luke Szczygielski
A nearly empty orchestra section.
Luke Szczygielski
Surveying the box office lobby.
Luke Szczygielski
The demolition has intensified.
Luke Szczygielski
Things are getting pretty dusty around here.
Luke Szczygielski
Entrance to the Patrons' Lounge.
Luke Szczygielski
The rear wall and ceiling of the orchestra level have been demolished. The view from the stage is now similar to the one the Shriners would have had when they occupied this building in the 1920s and '30s.
Former Encores! artistic director Kathleen Marshall, who recently won a Tony Award for Best Choreography for the Tony-winning revival of Anything Goes, will direct the Oct. 25 gala performance marking the reopening of New York City Center following major renovations.
For further information and updates on the renovation visit www.NYCityCenter.org.
