United States
The Lyric Theatre
The Lyric Theatre – Broadway, built in 1996–97 on the site of the legendary Lyric and Apollo Theaters combined architectural preservation with state-of-the-art modern construction. The 80,000sf Broadway theater, the second largest on Broadway, combines elements from each of the old theaters to recreate the grandeur of the beloved buildings.
The 1,839-seat Lyric Theatre – Broadway (previously called: Hilton Theatre; The Ford Center for the Performing Arts) features a 2,700sf rehearsal hall and 1,015sf choreography hall, along with state-of-the-art lighting systems and acoustical treatments.
The Original Lyric
The Lyric’s 42nd and 43rd Street facades were restored to serve as the entrance to the theater. An elliptical dome was reproduced and forms the centerpiece of the two-story atrium where a grand limestone staircase leads guests to their seats. The hand rails feature lyre and corn row designs that were recreated from historic castings of the exterior balcony rails.
In the center of the lobby is a 650sf mosaic depicting the classical theater masks of comedy and tragedy found on the Lyric’s façade. More than 172,000 hand-cut marble pieces were imported from around the world and laid by eight artisans over a 16-week period.
The Apollo
Restored and reinstalled, then washed with light, the Apollo Theater’s historic dome was set within a new dome and became the centerpiece of the new theater. The proscenium arch, sail, vault and side boxes from the Apollo’s interior were also restored, gilded and reinstalled. New murals form a frieze over the side boxes with Green mythological figures, recalling the original concept of the Apollo.
Client
The Lyric Theatre – Broadway
Location
214 West 43rd Street, NYC
SF
80,000
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