Credit: © Jeff Goldberg/Esto
Central Park’s iconic Delacorte Theater officially reopened this week after a $77 million renovation. The Public Theater on Tuesday cut the ribbon on the revamped venue, which has undergone a comprehensive revitalization by Ennead Architects, the most significant work on the facility in its 63-year history. The project addresses critical safety and theater code requirements, improves infrastructure and backstage efficiency, and introduces a striking new exterior. The Delacorte will officially reopen to the public on August 7 for its first star-studded public performance of William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” as part of the beloved Free Shakespeare in the Park series.
Approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in January 2022, the renovation has modernized the theater, which had not undergone major upgrades since 1999. The state-of-the-art facility now offers a more immersive experience for visitors and performers alike, featuring new lighting towers, grandstand risers, purpose-built dressing rooms, upgraded stage lighting, sound and scenic technology, and HVAC climate control.
Prioritizing environmental resilience and sustainability, the project features a new exterior facade crafted from reclaimed redwood sourced from decommissioned water towers across all five boroughs.
The vertical, textured wood is slightly canted outward to evoke a sense of movement and interacts with light and shadow in a way that complements the natural beauty of Central Park and the surrounding urban landscape.
Beyond its aesthetics, the facade minimizes heat retention and will age gracefully, while the design incorporates enhanced drainage systems to reduce flooding risk during storms.
Accessibility was a key focus of the renovation. Two new gates provide accessible entry points, the number of ADA-compliant seats has more than doubled, and seating now includes wider chairs, additional wheelchair spaces, and bariatric options. New ramps and a lift allow artists with disabilities to more easily enter and exit the stage.
Expanded hallways and a spacious new cross aisle provide excellent sightlines, ensuring an equitable viewing experience for all guests.
Directed by Saheem Ali, the upcoming production of “Twelfth Night” marks the seventh staging of the Shakespeare classic at the Delacorte, following previous runs in 1969, 1986, 1989, 2002, 2009, and 2018. The cast includes Peter Dinklage as Malvolio, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Andrew Aguecheek, Lupita Nyong’o as Viola, and Sandra Oh as Olivia.
Patrick Willingham, executive director of the Public Theater, celebrated the venue’s reopening, emphasizing the Delacorte’s role as a cornerstone of theater in New York City.
“The revitalization of The Delacorte isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a profound commitment to the future of free theater in Central Park,” Willingham said. “Alongside our incredible partners from the public and private sectors who believed in the power of this mission, we’ve transformed this iconic space into a more comfortable, sustainable, and welcoming environment for everyone who believes culture belongs to every New Yorker.”
He continued: “We can’t wait to open our doors on August 7 with ‘Twelfth Night,’ celebrate with our friends on and offstage, greet new and returning artists alike, and inaugurate this revitalized space.”
The project was funded with $41 million from the city, while the remaining funds were raised privately through the Forever Public Campaign—a broad fundraising effort supporting the Public Theater’s mission to ensure free theater for all.
“We’re honored to welcome New Yorkers back to this iconic space, where generations have gathered to experience the power of live performance under the open sky,” NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo said.
“Founded over 60 years ago, The Public Theater has stood as a cultural gem and artistic landmark guided by the belief that theater should be accessible to all and deeply rooted in community engagement. The City of New York’s major investment in the revitalization of the Delacorte Theater is a bold commitment to those principles.”
In 2018, 6sqft reported that the open-air theater was set to receive its first major renovation since its construction in 1962, with a redesign initially planned by the prominent architectural firm Bjarke Ingels.
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