Construction is nearing completion on the Delacorte Theater, a 63-year-old outdoor theater in Central Park. Designed by Ennead Architects for the Public Theater, in partnership with the Central Park Conservancy, NYC Parks, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the $80 million project is the first major rehabilitation to the 1,800-seat venue since 1999 and includes numerous aesthetic, safety, and accessibility enhancements. The theater is located next to Turtle Pond at the southern end of the Great Lawn, directly north of Belvedere Castle and east of Shakespeare Garden.
Crews are beginning the final stages of construction, installing the new green seats and assembling new metal trusses for the overhead lighting, among other infrastructure work.
Delacorte Theater. Photo by Michael Young
Delacorte Theater. Photo by Michael Young
Delacorte Theater. Photo by Michael Young
Delacorte Theater. Photo by Michael Young
Delacorte Theater. Photo by Michael Young
The theater’s exterior was renovated using repurposed redwood from old New York City water tanks, all while preserving the original 1960s aesthetics. Accessibility improvements include new walkways and redesigned public restrooms with increased capacity, and safety enhancements range from new lighting structures to more secure barriers to keep wildlife out of backstage areas.
In addition, the project includes upgrades to the box office, concession booths, stage, and work areas for artists and staff, as well as the introduction of new water protection and drainage systems to reduce flooding.
Delacorte Theater. Rendering courtesy of Ennead Architects
Delacorte Theater. Rendering courtesy of Ennead Architects
Delacorte Theater. Rendering courtesy of Ennead Architects
Operated by The Public Theater, the Delacorte Theater has hosted numerous productions of classic plays in addition to its staple Shakespeare in The Park series such as Anton Chekov’s The Seagull and Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children.
Public and private funding for the project includes $42 million from the New York City Mayor, City Council, and Manhattan Borough President, as well as $1 million from New York Assembly Member O’Donnell. State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and NYC Parks also contributed funding to the Central Park Conservancy’s Delacorte restroom renovation project, along with the Board of Trustees and numerous donors.
The nearest subways from the theater are the B and C trains at the 81st Street-Museum of Natural History station along Central Park West.
The Delacorte Theater’s 18-month-long renovation is expected to finish this summer for an August reopening, according to The Public Theater’s website.
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Huzzah!
Cameos on stage by raccoon families were always entertaining! Guess the enhanced backstage animal control barriers will put an end to that. Oh well…..
$80 million and no roof?
This has taken a while, but so glad to see it’s near completion.
The exposed reused redwood is a very nice touch.
NYC water tanks were of redwood, who knew ?
Some good news for a change! Can’t wait to go this summer.
Raccoon 🦝 challenge accepted! No doubt they will find a way into the stage for warmth and shelter.
I believe Rosenwach generally uses Eastern red cedar for their tanks, but redwood is used by others.
Gentrification is out of control, even the 🦝 are now being and displaced from their homes in central park.