8 minute read
Lighting a Landmark
The Dazzling Reinvention of The Palace Theater
By Randy Reid
When a Broadway legend takes the stage for a second act, it must do so with flair. The Palace Theatre’s transformation certainly rises to the occasion, both figuratively and literally.
The 109-year-old venue in Times Square recently reopened after a sweeping restoration and modernization effort that spanned nearly a decade. The project not only restored the historic character of the landmark theater but also reinvented its lighting design with thoughtful attention to period details and modern functionality—from a new chandelier to bespoke faux alabaster fixtures.
Before delving into the Tesla Award-winning lighting design, however, it’s worth spotlighting the most jaw-dropping feat: The entire theater was physically lifted 30 feet in the air.
As part of the TSX Broadway development, engineers executed one of the most intricate building relocations in New York City history. Beginning in January 2022 and concluding on 5 April of that year, the 7,000-ton structure was hoisted using 34 hydraulic lifting posts, moving at a painstakingly slow and controlled pace—just a quarter of an inch per hour. This incredible engineering accomplishment allowed for the addition of a new street-level lobby and retail space, all while preserving the theater’s architectural shell and setting the stage—literally—for its grand reintroduction.
A Lighting Renaissance
Led by lighting designers Paul Marantz, Hank Forrest, and Zachary Pearson of Fisher Marantz Stone (FMS), the lighting transformation was grounded in deep historical research. Although all the original decorative fixtures were long gone, archival photos offered clues. "We knew where the lighting locations were, and we knew what the fixtures wanted to be," said Hank.
The team worked hand-in-hand with preservation architects Platt Byard Dovell White and artisans at Lite Makers in Queens to craft new luminaires that echoed the elegance of the originals while embracing modern technology.
The centerpiece of the Palace Theater’s revitalized interior is a breathtaking new chandelier, standing nearly 24 feet tall. Designed in collaboration with the architectural team, the fixture pays homage to the theater’s original, long-lost centerpiece without attempting a direct replica.
The team reimagined it with clean, modern lines and luminous faux alabaster elements that evoke the grandeur of the past while embracing contemporary design. Illuminated by high-quality LED sources, the chandelier casts a warm, elegant glow that enhances the venue’s timeless atmosphere. Importantly, the entire fixture can be lowered for maintenance—a thoughtful nod to both tradition and function. Balancing technical demands with aesthetic ambition, this custom piece successfully bridges the theater’s historic legacy and its bold new chapter.
The team strategically shifted from the initial plan of utilizing Lutron controls and drivers, instead choosing eldoLED Solodrive 0-10V drivers combined with ETC controls.
All fixtures throughout the theater are powered by the same eldoLED drivers, ensuring consistent dimming performance. Point source fixtures, including sconces, pendants, and select elements of the chandelier, utilize Xicato LED modules for their exceptional color rendering and warm tone. The chandelier, serving as a centerpiece, combines both point and linear sources to achieve its distinctive glow.
Each fixture underwent extensive testing to guarantee flawless dimming performance. Hank emphasized, “The dimming was the biggest challenge. If that didn’t work correctly, nothing else would matter.”
Working closely with and the project theater consultants, Theater Projects, the team rigorously tested the Xicato modules at the start of the project to determine which driver would achieve smooth dimming, essential for the seamless “fade to black” that sets the pre-show atmosphere. Through mockups and detailed fixture evaluations, the team selected modules that replicate the warmth and gentle fade of traditional incandescent lighting, blending theatrical tradition with state-of-the-art technology.
Integrating Layers of Light
Paul and Hank approached the Palace with a strategy rooted in layered lighting. The grand chandelier offers ambient light, while perimeter coves provide soft fill, highlighting the intricately restored ceiling without overpowering it. Wallmounted sconces offer mid-level light and help reinforce the vertical proportions of the space. Even the seat-level step lights were carefully coordinated to avoid drawing attention while delivering necessary safety illumination.
Narrow beam spotlights from Edison Price Lighting supplement the ambient lighting of the chandelier, while the collective palette of light fixtures ensures that every flourish is perceptible to the audience. Circulation lighting throughout is handled by a combination of steplights located in the seating, recessed into walls and integrated into the stair nosings.
The design team coordinated extensively with the various trades to avoid conflicts, particularly in areas with limited ceiling depth or historical preservation constraints. Custom housings and mockups allowed them to trial solutions before final installation.
Mockups and Material Studies
Mockups were critical to the project’s success. Working under full scaffolding, the team evaluated multiple finishes, sources, and aiming strategies. Hank explained, “Gold-leaf surfaces, for example, react very differently depending on color temperature. Under cool white light, they appear flat; under warm, high-CRI sources, they shimmer and deepen.” The team selected 2700K source with tight binning to preserve continuity.
One unexpected success came with the faux alabaster used for the chandeliers and sconces. When lit from behind, the material provides a rich visual texture, and the soft diffusion contributes to a welcoming glow. The design team specified matching faux alabaster for every decorative element—a commitment that paid off with visual consistency and historical gravitas.
Lighting the Future with a Nod to the Past
While much of the lighting is historical in style, the functionality is firmly rooted in the present. Remote-mounted 0-10v drivers and a full ETC control system allow the house staff to adapt the lighting to various performances. There are different presets for house entry, intermission, post-show, and cleaning.
The dimming curves were fine-tuned to emulate incandescent behavior, preserving the warmth and romantic quality audiences expect. This was not just a matter of programming but a technical challenge requiring precise driver selection and circuit layout.
Egress Lighting
The project faced additional complexities due to stringent building department requirements for egress lighting. Because of the age of the theater, there were stairs with non-conforming riser heights and tread widths which required distinct lighting differentiation.
To comply, the team implemented dual-color lighting—blue and amber—to visually distinguish non-compliant steps, although audience members aren't explicitly informed of the color coding. One minimum footcandle was required for all compliant stair conditions and two minimum at non-compliant locations.
The Broader Impact
This lighting transformation at the Palace Theater is not just about one venue; it's a bellwether for how historic theaters can evolve. By embracing modern tools while respecting original design intent, the Palace sets a new standard. It honors the past while illuminating the future–literally. And, in honor of this achievement, the Palace Theater’s lighting design was honored with a 2025 NLB Tesla Award of Excellence.
Reopened in May 2024 with a dazzling concert residency, the Palace Theater is once again a jewel of Broadway. The lighting doesn’t just support the performance—it is part of the performance, illuminating both history and possibility.
FIXTURE SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS
Chandelier: Custom by Lite Makers, using Xicato LED modules and Visual Lighting Technology linear striplights, with faux alabaster diffusers
Sconces & Pendants: Custom, matching chandelier aesthetic, with Xicato LED modules
Downlights: Edison Price, evenly spaced around chandelier and under balconies
Cove Lighting: Visual Lighting Technologies linear LED, integrated in ceiling perimeters
Step Lights: Custom blue and amber LEDs, ADA-compliant and low-glare; Cole Lighting provided the wall-mounted steplights, and Forum Lighting provided the blue and amber stair-nosing steplights
Controls: ETC Paradigm system with eldoLED drivers for smooth dimming.
