Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (New York City, New York)

 theatre, Moorish Revival (architecture), 1927_construction, historic landmark, Mediterranean Revival (architecture)

5-story Modern Spanish/Moorish-style theater completed in 1927. Designed by Herbert J. Krapp, it opened as the Royale Theatre on January 11, 1927 with a musical entitled Piggy. It was built as part of a 3-theater complex that also included the Majestic (a large musical house) and the Theatre Masque, now the John Golden (a small house). The three theaters enabled producers to move shows based on their ticket sales to the most appropriately-sized venue. John Golden leased and renamed the theater for himself from 1932 to 1937, when the Shubert Organization assumed ownership and leased the theater to CBS Radio until 1940, when it was restored to its original use and name. On May 9, 2005, it was renamed for longtime Shubert Organization president Bernard B. Jacobs.

The facade is divided into two major sections; the main symmetrically designed portion is in the "modern Spanish" style. A more simply designed stage section is placed to its east. The base of both portions is faced in rusticated terra-cotta simulating ashlar stone, above a granite water table and punctuated by openings. Four openings in the stage portion provide access to the stage and contain recessed metal doors, covered by posters. Paired brass-and-glass doors below transoms lead into the lobby in the main portion. A modern marquee with signs extends above the entrance doors. A terra-cotta cornice and wide band surmount the base, setting off the upper floors of both sections.

The major portion is faced in Roman brick of a golden hue and is dominated by a 5-bayarcade with window openings at the 2nd & 3rd floors. The arches are supported on terra-cotta piers with stylized Corinthian capitals, and are outlined by foliate moldings. Paneled terra-cotta spandrels separate the two floors. The windows contain multi-paned iron sash and multi-colored tinted glass. The facade is surmounted by a parapet containing a stylized pediment composed of ornate panels flanked by quarter-round panels and a central lunette, the whole adorned with finials. A blue vertical sign with the name of the theater marks the division between the two portions of the facade.

The wall of the stage house section contains five regularly spaced window openings with terra-cotta sills. The top floor is accented by a terra-cotta loggia supported on brackets. The loggia columns have stylized capitals supporting a sloping tile roof. Shallow pyramidal roofs on brackets rise to either side of the loggia. The upper portion of the stage house, set back from the facade, is faced with the same brick.

The 1,078-seat theater's interior features a groin-vaulted ceiling supported on either side by archways decorated with two murals entitled "Lovers of Spain," by Willy Pogany.

www.shubertorganization.com/theatres/bernard_b_jacobs.a...
s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1372.pdf