NEW YORK — The Apollo Theater is expanding as it celebrates 90 years.
The developer recently gave CBS New York unprecedented access, showing how the development blends the past, present and future of Harlem .
Harlem’s tallest building now stands at 28 stories. Towering above 125th Street is the Marriott’s Renaissance Harlem Hotel. The foundation was formed by the historic Victoria Theater, now an expansion of the Apollo a few doors down.
“It’s exciting being in a new space because it’s an opportunity for us to explore another piece of our mission, and that piece is this idea of new work generation,” said Kamilah Forbes, the Apollo Theater’s executive producer.
To recreate the Victoria’s varnish, the development team took painstaking effort to scrape layers of paint to match the lobby’s original luster, and sourced exact materials to re-erect the grand staircase. The Art Deco decor seamlessly extends into an all-new space.