July 3, 2025
The Apollo theater has dimmed the lights for a yearlong full-scale renovation undertaking.
The world-famous Apollo Theater formally closed its doorways on July 1 for its first-ever full-scale renovation undertaking.
For the following yr, the theater will go darkish for a $65 million renovation that can carry a refreshed façade, new LED marquee, upgraded foyer, fashionable AV techniques, new seating, and different main enhancements, Time Out reported. Not all the pieces goes, as historic options of the theater, like the long-lasting “signature wall” signed by most of the greats, will likely be preserved.
Initially opened in 1914 and rebranded in 1934, the formidable renovation marks the primary main transformation of the long-lasting theater’s feel and look in almost 100 years.
“It’s the first massive‑scale renovation of the historic theater in our 91‑yr historical past,” Pleasure Profet, Apollo’s chief progress officer, advised NY1.
Whereas some work on the foyer kicked off earlier this yr, “July 1 is basically the full-scale,” Profet added.
The closure got here simply days after the theater’s ultimate in-house reside present, a grand finale of Beginner Night time on the Apollo. Neverson Cadesca, performing as Nev, closed out the occasion, whereas saxophonist Emanuel Garilus of Gainesville, Florida, took residence the $20,000 grand prize.
The present will go on, with performances briefly transferring to the Apollo Levels on the Victoria, situated simply down one hundred and twenty fifth Avenue. The advanced, which homes two smaller theaters, is a part of the Apollo’s broader growth efforts.
These passing will discover scaffolding lining the one hundred and twenty fifth Avenue aspect of the theater, whereas visitor entry has been briefly rerouted by way of a coated entrance on 126th Avenue. A pop-up field workplace beneath the marquee is now serving guests.
The renovation is designed to make the Apollo really feel extra open and linked to the neighborhood, with a brand new café and street-facing home windows enhancing the expanded foyer. The long-lasting Wall of Fame can even be remodeled right into a digital expertise.
The legendary Beginner Night time, credited with launching the careers of icons like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Vacation, Sammy Davis Jr., James Brown, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, and Jimi Hendrix, is on pause in the course of the renovation, which is anticipated to wrap in mid-2026.
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