Broadway's Palace Theatre Will Officially Get a 'Lift' for Retail Space Below

Looks like the Palace will be getting more than a facelift! After yesterday's hearing, the New York City Landmarks Commission has officially approved plans (subject to peer review) to restore the interior and literally lift the Palace Theatre building 29 feet above the ground to make room for four stories of retail space.

After the changes, theatregoers will come in through a new entrance on 47th Street, featuring a 75-foot-wide marquee, then travel up two escalators (or a staircase) to the ground floor lobby space of the Palace. The plans also call for rearranging some of the seating, removing the lighting booth, and a new heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system.

Photos and designs detailing the work proposed by Higgins Quasebarth & Partners LLC and PBDW Architects can be found by clicking here. The first image below compares the existing construction of the Palace Theatre with the proposed results; the second shows the new entrance and floor layout.

Read some of the comments and concerns from the various commissioners in New York Yimby's article on the subject.

Featuring a Beaux-Arts style interior with Baroque style detailing designed by Kirchhoff & Rose, The Palace Theatre opened in 1913 and achieved legendary status as the nation's leading vaudeville theatre. "Playing The Palace," meant a vaudeville performer had truly made it.

Used as a movie house after the decline of vaudeville, The Palace was then purchased by The Nederlander Organization and converted in to a legitimate Broadway house with the 1966 opening of SWEET CHARITY.