Marquee Renovation: Apollo Theater

The historic Apollo Theater in New York has updated its marquee in exactly the manner that has been proposed for the Miracle Theater. It has replaced its SnapLok system with LED display panels that are programmed to simulate the look of the original system. This has preserved the appearance of this landmark theater, but has enhanced their ability to communicate to the public at large. It also offers advantages in power consumption, safety, and ease of updates.

Historic background from WikiPedia:

Founded in 1913 in a different location, the new Apollo Theater was owned by various Jewish families up until World War II. When the Apollo first opened, it was one of New York City’s leading burlesque venues, opened and operated by two of the city’s most influential burlesque operators — Jules Hurtig and Harry Seamon. Open to white-only viewers, the Hurtig and Seamon’s (New) Burlesque Theater would remain in operation until 1928 when Bill Minsky took over and transformed it into the 125th Street Apollo Theater. Sidney S. Cohen, a powerful theatrical landlord, purchased the Apollo in 1932 upon Minsky’s untimely death. The Apollo Theater finally opened its doors to African American patrons in 1934, 20 years after the building's original opening, showcasing "a colored review" entitled Jazz a la Carte.

The club fell into decline in the 1960s and 1970s, but was revived in 1983, when it obtained federal, state, and city landmark status. It fully reopened in 1985, and was bought by the State of New York in 1991. It is now run by a nonprofit organization, the Apollo Theater Foundation Inc., and draws an estimated 1.3 million visitors annually.

On December 15, 2005, the Apollo Theater launched the first phase of its refurbishment, costing estimated $25 million. The first phase included the facade and the new light-emitting diode (LED) marquee. Attendees and speakers at the launch event included President Bill Clinton, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons.

To date, the Apollo renovation is America's most expensive and advanced refurbishment of a landmark theater.

Before the Renovation

After the renovation.

Before the renovation.

After the renovation

Before the renovation

After the renovation.