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# Shubert Organization files application for renovation of Broadway’s Imperial Theatre
- URL: https://www.broadwaynews.com/shubert-organization-files-application-for-renovation-of-broadways-imperial-theatre/
- Published: 2024-12-19T21:46:51.000Z
- Updated: 2025-01-02T21:04:52.000Z
- Description: The venue will next host the new musical “Smash” beginning in spring 2025.
- Author: Michael Abourizk
- Tags: News, Imperial Theatre, Shubert Organization, Kostow Greenwood Architects

The Shubert Organization has filed an application with the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission for a renovation and expansion of Broadway’s Imperial Theatre. Located on West 45th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, the Imperial is one of Shubert’s 17 Broadway houses. The Imperial’s application was included on the agenda for a Dec. 17 [public hearing](https://www.nyc.gov/site/lpc/hearings/hearings.page?ref=broadwaynews.com). 

According to the [presentation materials](https://www.nyc.gov/assets/lpc/downloads/pdf/presentation-materials/20241217/249-West-45th-Street.pdf?ref=broadwaynews.com) provided for the hearing, the improvements include expanding the Imperial lobby as well as a renovation of the auditorium interior, which in 1987 was designated a New York City landmark.

The proposed lobby expansion would include an Imperial Theatre annex in the currently vacant lot located directly west of the theater. The multi-level annex would have a new physical and digital marquee, as well as two floors of commercial space, an event space and a rooftop terrace.

The proposed auditorium renovations would see the removal of a sound and light lock (an intermediary space used in theaters to prevent lobby sound and light from spilling over into the house), which currently creates a bottleneck for theatergoers. Additionally, seating/chairs would be restored and various auditorium doors would receive new ornamentation.

Kostow Greenwood Architects designed the project. The architectural firm also designed the [recently added annex](https://www.broadwaynews.com/shubert-organization-to-begin-expansion-of-broadways-cort-theatre/) for another Shubert-owned house, the [James Earl Jones Theatre](https://www.broadwaynews.com/shubert-organization-to-unveil-james-earl-jones-theatre-on-sept-12/) (while the interior and exterior renovations of the venue were designed by [Francesca Russo](https://francescarusso.com/?ref=broadwaynews.com)), as well as the [newly added](https://www.broadwaynews.com/kostow-greenwood-architects-will-design-a-new-lounge-for-broadways-st-james-theatre/) lounge atop the St. James Theatre.

No decision nor timeline is announced for the proposal, but as with any capital improvements, these processes for approval (let alone actual construction) can take time.

The 101-year-old Imperial is the recent home of “Water for Elephants,” which [closed](https://www.broadwaynews.com/water-for-elephants-sets-final-performance-date-on-broadway/) on Dec. 8\. As [previously announced](https://www.broadwaynews.com/robyn-hurder-and-caroline-bowman-will-star-in-smash-on-broadway/), the Susan Stroman-helmed “Smash” will begin previews on March 11, 2025 and open on April 10 at the Imperial. 

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*Correction: An earlier version of this article misattributed the architectural design of the Jones Theatre’s interior and exterior renovations. This has been corrected.*