A Timeless Venue Revamped for a New Era
In a significant move, production company A24 partnered with Leroy Street Studio to breathe new life into New York City‘s oldest Off-Broadway theatre, the historic Cherry Lane Theatre. Acquired by A24 in 2023, the theatre plans to retain its celebrated name while enhancing its capabilities for hosting live productions and film screenings.
Preserving the Past While Embracing the Future
The renovation project included the addition of Wild Cherry, a speakeasy-style restaurant by the creators of the popular Frenchette bistro. The theatre, nestled between two historic brick buildings on Commerce Street in the West Village, dates back to the 1830s. Originally a manufacturing site and later a grain silo, it became a theatre in 1924, making it a cornerstone of Cherry Lane.
Leroy Street Studio focused on peeling back layers of previous renovations to honor the building’s history, including restoring the bright red doors with the original painter. “We wanted to celebrate some of the original features,” said LSS senior interiors associate Leslie Bailey. “Peeling back was a significant part of our work,” added LSS senior associate Alex Witko.
Innovative Design for Modern Needs
One of the major renovations involved transforming the original main stage into a dual-purpose venue. Equipped with a descending screening rig and speakers, the space now accommodates both live performances and film. The seating was replaced with luxurious mossy green banquettes, and adjustments were made to suit different audio demands. The theatre now stands as an emblem of modern adaptability while respecting its storied past.
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The venue can seamlessly switch between film and live programming, with curtains used to adjust acoustics, allowing rapid conversion within a day.
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Welcoming Space for Creativity and Cuisine
The updated building features a flowing box office that leads to a lobby with ocean blue tile, exposed brick walls, restrooms, and entrance to Wild Cherry hidden by a rich red curtain. The restaurant boasts a textured design with a scalloped ceiling, adeptly crafted to prevent sound from disturbing the residential units above. This addition further enriches the appeal of the venue.
“Creating a series of boxes within boxes helped successfully separate the restaurant sound from the residential floors,” explained Witko.
A Landmark Reimagined
Cherry Lane Theatre, now complemented by the vibrant Wild Cherry, began rolling out performances and screenings, such as the play Weer. This project marks A24’s debut in establishing a physical venue, reflecting a broader trend of media companies, like Amazon, investing in live-performance spaces. Situated on this historic street, the theatre continues to be a vital part of the cultural landscape.
Leroy Street Studio’s previous achievements include designing a Hamptons home and curating an exhibition during New York design week. The meticulous photography of this rejuvenated theatre is by Brian Ferry.
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What renovations were made to Cherry Lane Theatre?
The renovations included transforming the original main stage into a dual-purpose venue for live performances and film screenings, replacing seating with luxurious mossy green banquettes, and adding Wild Cherry, a speakeasy-style restaurant. Layers of previous renovations were peeled back to honor the building’s history, including restoring the bright red doors.
Who partnered to revamp Cherry Lane Theatre?
Production company A24 partnered with Leroy Street Studio to revamp Cherry Lane Theatre, breathing new life into New York City’s oldest Off-Broadway theatre.
What is the purpose of the Wild Cherry addition?
Wild Cherry is a speakeasy-style restaurant added to the theatre, designed to enrich the venue’s appeal. It features a scalloped ceiling to prevent sound from disturbing the residential units above.