Landmarks Preservation Commission December 8, 1987; Designation List 197 LP-1352 LYCEUM THEATER, first floor interior consisting of the lobby, the auditorium, the stage, the staircases leading from the first floor up to the first balcony floor; the first balcony floor interior consisting of the first balcony, the upper part of the auditorium; the second balcony floor interior consisting of the second balcony, the upper part of the auditorium and ceiling; and the fixtures and interior components of these spaces, including but not limited to, wall, ceiling, and floor surfaces, doors, stair railings and attached decorative elements; 149-157 West 45th Street, Manhattan. Built: 1902-03; architects, Herts & Tallant. Landmark Site: Borough of Manhattan Tax Map Block 998, Lot 8. On June 14 and 15, 1982, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing on the proposed designation as an interior Landmark of the Lyceum Theater, first floor interior consisting of the lobby, the auditorium, the stage, the staircases leading from the first floor down to the basement, the staircases leading from the first floor up to the first balcony floor; the basement interior consisting of the basement lounge; the first balcony floor interior consisting of the mezzanine lounge, the first balcony, the upper part of the auditorium, the upper part of the stage house, the staircases leading from the first balcony floor up to the second balcony floor; the second balcony floor interior consisting of the second balcony, the upper part of the auditorium and ceiling, the upper part of the stage house; and the fixtures and interior components of these spaces, including but not limited to, wall, ceiling, and floor surfaces, doors, stair rai 1 ings and attached decorative elements; and the proposed designation of the related Landmark Site (Item No. 48). The hearing was continued to October 19, 1982. Both hearings had been duly advertised in accordance with the provisions of law. Eighty-one witnesses spoke or had statements r;ead into the record in favor of designation. Two witnesses spoke in opposition to designation. The owner of the theater was among those speaking in opposition to designation. The Commission has received many letters and other expressions of support in favor of this designation. DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS The interior of the Lyceum Theater survives today as one of the historic theater interiors that symbolize American theater for both New York and the nation. Bui 1 t in 1902-03, the Lyceum was part of a burst in theater construction that shaped the character of Times Square as the new heart of New York's theater district. It is one of the very few turn-of the-century theaters still standing in the Broadway/Times Square area. 1

The Lyceum (originally the New Lyceum) was built for Daniel Frohman, a prominent turn-of-the -century impresario. With twenty years of theater experience behind him, Frohman hoped to create a sumptuous new theater that would provide a suitable setting for the star productions for which he was famous. With that intention, he hired the firm of Herts & Tallant to design the theater that would embody his dreams, and become his headquarters for the next four decades. Herts & Tallant, the architects of the Lyceum, earned a reputation as one of New York's most skilled firms of theater designers. For the Lyceum, they produced one of their finest designs, a handsome, Beaux-Arts style interior, with elaborate classically-inspired detail. As a Herts & Tallant designed theater, bui 1 t to showcase the productions of Daniel Frohman, the Lyceum represents a special aspect of the nation's theatrical history. Beyond its historical importance, its interior is an unusually elegant Beaux-Arts style design by the acknowledged masters of Broadway theater architecture. For three quarters of a century, beginning with Daniel Frohman's productions, the Lyceum Theater interior has served as horne to countless numbers of the plays through w

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