Howard Theater Rebirth
4 04 2008Closed since the 1980s, the historic Howard Theater is poised to be refurbished to its former glory. In it’s heyday, the theater at 7th and T Street played host to everyone from Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin, to The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Chuck Brown, and of course Duke Ellington so there is some serious history to the place!
The refurbishment is being coordinated by Howard Theater Restoration Inc (HTR) with the intention of re-establishing the theater as the center of the U Street/Shaw arts district. In addition to restoring the 1200 seat performance space, HTR will also be adding a 600 sq ft museum covering the extensive history of the space.
This development has to be seen as a turning point for an area that is starting to reach the critical mass of population and cultural attractions to reach back to the heights it once achieved. It is going to be truly exciting to watch! [Rendering by HTR via RenewShaw]
It’s amazing how far such a luminary performance venue has fallen! The new rendering looks great!
[…] Howard Theater Rebirth. dcmetrocentric. The before and after photos. […]
Yes, pretty picture. However, I remember talk of saving the Howard theater back in 2001-2002, and so I’m a little wary of getting excited till I see some scaffolding or trailers full of building waste.
Looks very dark and goth. Not sure i really like it….
Looks like a shot out of a 1940s movie. Could be very cool.
Thanks for sharing!
I hope they get that project and all other promised projects going in that Howard Univ. area. I guess I’m impatient. Picture looks pretty good, though. Beats plywood!
[…] The city plans to spend over $2 million on a vacant lot in Shaw to move forward on rehabbing the historic Howard Theater. […]
it’s been a very long time coming and many a spirit of creativity has been awaiting the moment when the howard theatre will be reopened. it seems like it’s happening, although i share skeptics’ appraisal of the dragging process. the global economy won’t help but local supporters are not giving up. i won’t either. the party is rocking here now and our culture will have to recognize the sound. it’s a great and potent moment for our art.
[…] was all the way back in April of last year that we first saw the designs for the renovation of the historic Howard Theater located at 7th and […]
[…] boutique hotel for the Shaw District of Washington, DC is located on Florida Ave across from the historic Howard Theater. The design includes some interesting use of glazing to bring light into the interior of the […]