The rehabilitated theater will consist of 1,680 seats spanning multiple stages and 66,000± gross square feet over three floors. Key project components include the restoration of the historic façade and the replacement of the iconic neon signage with energy-efficient LED lighting. The renovation also involves modernization of the theater’s mechanical, lighting, and sound systems; construction of new restroom facilities and ADA accessibility upgrades; and a redesigned lobby that will feature a new café and retail space. Backstage areas, including offices, dressing rooms, and sound stages, will be upgraded to support expanded operations, and the entire project emphasizes sustainability, with a goal of achieving LEED Silver certification.
Opened in 1914 as the “New Theater” and reimagined in 1934 by Sidney S. Cohen, the Apollo has since become a cultural cornerstone in African American music and performance. Its legacy as a launchpad for generations of Black artists makes this revitalization a significant investment in both history and the future of the arts.
