What is now known as the New Victory Theatre in Times Square was originally called the Theatre Republic when Oscar Hammerstein built it in 1900. Almost 100 years later, The New 42nd Street, Inc., a non-profit development corporation, directed an award-winning “interpretive restoration” of the theatre and it re-opened as a fully equipped, 500-seat, state-of-the-art facility.

This project led the way to the comprehensive redevelopment of New York’s 42nd Street and has been notable in attracting other significant entertainment interests, including Disney, to the Times Square Business District.

Carefully preserving the building’s sculptural ornament and trompe d’oeil painting, the architect and theatre consultant retained the spirit and recreated the detail of the original turn-of-the-century theatre. The building’s technical systems have been thoroughly updated to contemporary requirements.

FDA designed new seating configurations to improve sightlines, reorganized backstage facilities, and specified new lighting, rigging, and other technical equipment to make this facility state-of-the-art. New, enlarged public lobbies were created and elevators installed to provide complete access to all levels.