After more than 100 years of operation, it seems an overhaul is in order for Broadway's Imperial Theatre, most recently the home of the new musical Water for Elephants.
On December 17, the Shubert Organization proposed a significant expansion, restoration, and renovation of the theatre to New York's Landmarks Preservation Commission, who protect the interior of the theatre as a historic landmark.
Designed by theatre architect Herbert J Krapp, the Imperial currently features a simple buff-colored brick façade, which serves as an effective blank canvas for colorful marquee advertising. The interior, however, befits its royal title, with a richly textured russet and cream neoclassical lobby and a burgundy and gold auditorium. The theatre features detailed plaster and filigree work throughout, and several classical scenes ornament passageways.
The Imperial is a complex case for renovation: Unlike many historic buildings in New York, where the total of the space is preserved, only the interior was protected by the LPC, making the exterior fair game, while the interior seating area and lobby are much more difficult to renovate. The interior of the Imperial was designated a landmark November 17, 1987, as a part of the commission's mission to grant landmark status to Broadway theatres following the slew of teardowns that happened earlier in the decade.
The plans put forward by the Shuberts earlier this month include significant restoration work in the interior. But by far the most exciting detail is the intended annexation of the large empty lot next to the Imperial in order to construct a new ticket lobby, commercial space, and, most importantly, new bathrooms.
The bathroom situation at the Imperial has been difficult for some time, with "toilet trailers" located in the empty lot serving as overflow for the audience members who simply require more bathroom space than Krapp's original design incorporated. The annex would bring the Imperial up to ADA standards, with accessible gender neutral restrooms, more elevators, escalators up to the balcony level, and a large lounge space that add needed space in the Imperial's tightly delineated entrance lobby.
In order to achieve the annex, the Imperial would occupy the vacant lot that has been owned by the Shuberts for some time. The lot has featured in a variety of proposals over the last decade, including at one point a whole new Broadway theatre, although that planned was jettisoned in 2017. By making use of the lot, the physical footprint of the Imperial will be increased dramatically, leading to a significant overhaul to the Imperial's marquee.
Per the proposal renderings, the exterior façade of the Imperial would feature a new vertical blade name sign, a new video sign, a new extended entrance marquee, and large glass windows, allowing those in the extended lobbies and auxiliary floors to look out on 45th Street, much as patrons can look at 7th Avenue in the Marquis Theatre.
While these plans are proposed, they are not guaranteed. The Shuberts—along with fellow Broadway theatre owners the Nederlanders and Jujamcyn—collectively sued the LPC in June 1988 to overturn the landmark designations of 22 theatres, including the Imperial, on the grounds that the designation severely limited their ability to modify their property. The lawsuit was escalated to the New York Supreme Court, and to the Supreme Court of the United States, but the landmark designations were wholly upheld in 1992, which is why the Shuberts have to get these current plans approved by the LPC. While the presentation on December 17 went forward, these plans cannot be enacted without formal approval, which will likely take a significant amount of time.
Should the plan go through, the Imperial would be the latest theatre to receive significant restoration and renovation: The Majestic was recently returned to its former glory, and the James Earl Jones Theatre was dramatically reworked in the lead up to its name change from the Cort Theatre.
While we wait to see if the plan passes approval, however, the Shubert's proposal (including architectural renderings, detail shots, and even paint swatches) can be viewed online.
Next up at the Imperial will be the long-awaited stage version of the TV musical series Smash. Previews will begin March 11, 2025, prior to an official opening April 10.
