Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Thursday the completion of a $24 million renovation of the Todd Haimes Theatre, marking the first major overhaul of the historic Broadway venue in nearly three decades. The project, which modernization advocates and theater preservationists alike have hailed as a milestone for the district, focused heavily on expanding accessibility while preserving the structural integrity of the century-old building.
Located on West 42nd Street, the theater serves as the flagship home for the Roundabout Theatre Company. Formerly known as the American Airlines Theatre, it was renamed in 2024 to honor Todd Haimes, the longtime artistic director who transformed the nonprofit into a titan of the New York stage before his death in 2023.
The renovation effort received approximately $3 million in state support through the New York State Council on the Arts and Empire State Development. Additional funding was provided by the City of New York, including contributions from the Department of Cultural Affairs and the City Council.
“The curtain rises on a new chapter at the Todd Haimes Theatre as this transformative renovation supports greater accessibility to the arts for all,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. She noted that the investment reinforces the theater district as a global cultural hub and a critical engine for the state economy.
Modernizing a Classic
The most technical aspects of the project addressed longstanding barriers for patrons with disabilities. The theater now features a Bluetooth enabled assistive listening system, which allows patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing to connect their personal devices directly to the sound system of the venue. The number of wheelchair accessible seats was also increased, rising from 23 to 28 within the 740 seat auditorium.
Beyond accessibility, the project included a full restoration of the Neo-Renaissance interior, updates to safety systems, and the installation of new seating and carpeting. On the fifth floor, a once underutilized area was converted into a flexible use space designed for rehearsals, readings, and community engagement programs.
“I am so proud to reopen the revitalized Todd Haimes Theatre with a play that he loved, and to welcome audiences back to an accessible, sustainable, state of the art venue,” said Scott Ellis, the interim artistic director for Roundabout.
A Legacy on 42nd Street
The building itself has long been a centerpiece of the redevelopment of 42nd Street. Originally opened in 1918 as the Selwyn Theatre, it was designed by George Keister in an Italian Renaissance style. After decades as a cinema and eventually falling into disrepair, it was reclaimed by Roundabout in the late 1990s as part of the revitalization of Times Square.
The current improvements are seen as the final step in ensuring the house can meet the demands of modern Broadway productions while maintaining its historic charm. The theater is scheduled to reopen to the public this spring with a revival of the Noël Coward play Fallen Angels, featuring a cast that includes Kelli O’Hara and Rose Byrne.
The completion of the project comes at a time of broader state investment in the arts. Earlier this year, the Governor proposed significant expansions to tax credits for theatrical productions to bolster the recovery of the industry following the pandemic.
