Reopening

When the first worker cleaning the artwork at the legendary Beacon Theatre put a wet sponge up to the ceiling of the famed venue the sponge immediately turned black. Eighty years as a movie theater and rock hall on Manhattan’s Upper West Side takes a major toll on a building, especially after three Phish shows, countless Phil Lesh gigs and 175 Allman Brothers shows.

[All photos by Adam Kaufman]

It was clear to anyone who could see beyond the dirt, grime and decay that underneath it all the Beacon was full of beautiful artwork and vivid details. After seven months and $16 million worth of painstaking renovations the Beacon Theatre has finally been restored to its former glory.

The Dolan’s MSG Entertainment is now two for two when it comes to restoring iconic venues after all of the love they put into the Beacon this time around and Radio City Music Hall in 1999. Project Manager Marc Tarozzi researched how the venue looked when it opened in 1929 and his team succeeded at restoring the Beacon to its original 1929 grandeur.

Here’s a list of all the changes they made…

• Richly detailed Rotunda Lobby, including restoration of the “scagliola” faux marble wainscot and recreation of the long-lost mural over the entrance doors
• Historic finishes in the lobbies at each theater level
• Original historic seats and custom patterned carpet based on the original designs
• Polychromatic, Moorish-inspired “tent-like” main theater ceiling
• All murals throughout theatre to original design

READ ON for more photos and information about the Beacon’s reopening…