The Apollo Unveils Designs For Full-Scale Revitalization Of Its Historic Theater

The Apollo has unveiled the design for the first full-scale restoration, renovation, and modernization of its iconic Historic Theater by Beyer Blinder Belle Architects + Planners with consultants Charcoalblue, Flyleaf Creative, and Higgins Quasebarth & Partners. The project, which follows the opening of The Apollo’s Stages at the Victoria earlier this year, is part of the comprehensive Apollo Rising 2.0 Capital Campaign.

The project honors the legacy of The Apollo while enhancing the audience experience with a renovated and expanded lobby with a café and bar for community gatherings and performances, new and restored seating, significant upgrades to backstage areas for artists, a revitalized, globally recognized historic Apollo marquee, and more. The historic “Wall of Fame” that celebrates the artists who have played The Apollo will be digitized and enhanced with The Apollo’s extensive archives, creating an engaging, interactive experience for visitors. The irreplaceable signature wall, which houses decades of artist signatures from when they performed, will also be preserved. Construction on the theater—which first opened in 1914 and was renamed The Apollo in 1934—is expected to begin fall 2024 and will be undertaken in phases until its completion in spring 2026. The Apollo will continue performances throughout the process, alternating the use of its new Stages at the Victoria Theater, Soundstage, and Historic Theater.

Following the opening of The Apollo Stages at the Victoria Theater, the first expansion in the nonprofit’s 90-year history, the Historic Theater renovation and expansion further enhances The Apollo’s mission to champion artists, shepherd the Black cultural narrative, and provide vibrant, artistic, and community programs that build on the cultural heritage of Harlem.

The project team is led by Beyer Blinder Belle Architects + Planners, with consultants Charcoalblue, Flyleaf Creative, and Consigli Construction. Renderings for the Historic Theater are available here.

The Apollo’s Historic Theater last underwent minor renovations in the early 1980s, after which the exterior and portions of the theater’s interior were designated as New York City Landmarks. Since that time, New York’s Landmarks Preservation Commission has approved limited work throughout the building. On August 6, 2024, it approved this design.

“The revitalization and restoration of the Historic Theatre is a deeply exciting undertaking—one that we could not do without the tremendous support of our collaborators, our community, and everyone who has sat in the audience of The Apollo and recognized it as the gravitational center of Black culture and art,” said Chairman of the Board Charles Phillips. “The continued support of our Apollo Rising 2.0 Capital Campaign has opened the door to a new era, and we cannot wait to step through.”

“This is a momentous year for The Apollo, as we continue the institution’s expansion and modernization for the first time in the organization’s history. While ushering us into our next chapter, the changes we are making to the Historic Theater also honor the rich legacy and the creative magic that courses through the theater and pay homage to the many legends who have been propelled into stardom by The Apollo. After 90 years, we are ensuring that The Apollo is well-equipped to serve the next generations of artists and audiences alike for the next century,” said Apollo President and CEO Michelle Ebanks.

“Evoking the spirit and classical detail of the Theater in the 1930s when it became the iconic Apollo as it is known today, these upgrades are derived from the same historic materials, including its decorative plaster and terrazzo, but transfused with contemporary design,” said Christopher Cowan, Principal at Beyer Blinder Belle Architects + Planners. “The repairs and restorations will enhance accessibility, lighting, and mechanical systems in a way that takes preservation into account, but also revitalizes its entire elements. New seating and acoustical panels will allow the auditorium space to operate better for audiences and artists alike.”

First opened in 1914 and renamed the Apollo Theater twenty years later, the theater has played a major role in the evolution of jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop, and helped launch the careers of musical greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, and others. Today, it continues to build on its mission to create a new American performing arts canon and support artistic creation and collaboration in Harlem. An international, national, state, and city landmark, The Apollo has long served as a cultural cornerstone in the community and attracts visitors from around New York and across the globe to Harlem, generating economic activity and adding to Manhattan’s wealth of world-class artistic offerings.

To post a comment, you must register and login.