Broadway legends: Famous architects and developers

A guide to the architects and developers who shaped the history of Broadway by designing and building its theaters.

Chanin Brothers
Herts & Tallant
Herbert J. Krapp
C. Howard Crane
George Keister
Thomas W. Lamb
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Chanin Brothers

Developers who helped shape Broadway

The Chanin Brothers, Irwin and Henry, were New York–born Jewish real estate developers who played a central role in Broadway’s growth. Through the Chanin Construction Company, they financed and built six Broadway theaters. While most of the designs were created by Herbert J. Krapp, the Chanins provided the vision, construction, and management that left a lasting mark on the Theater District.

Their first theater was the 46th Street Theatre in 1925 (today the Richard Rodgers Theatre). They later oversaw projects such as the Chanin Building, the Century Apartments (originally called The Majestic, 1930), the Lincoln Hotel (today ROW NYC Hotel), the Beacon Hotel, and the World Apparel Center. Their contributions extended beyond theaters to some of New York City’s most important skyscrapers and landmarks.

Theaters built by the Chanin Construction Company

A list of Broadway theaters developed by the Chanin Construction Company. Most were designed by Herbert J. Krapp, while the Chanins served as developers.

Richard Rodgers Theatre

John Golden Theatre

Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre

Majestic Theatre

Lena Horne Theatre

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

Herts & Tallant

An influential architectural partnership

Henry Beaumont Herts and Hugh Tallant formed their New York–based architectural firm in 1900. They were among the first to specialize in Broadway theater design, bringing European training and Beaux-Arts style to New York stages.

Herts studied in Paris, Rome, and Heidelberg, while Tallant graduated from Harvard and also trained in Paris. Together they designed theaters such as the New Amsterdam Theatre (1903) and the Lyceum Theatre (1903), which still stand today. Other works like the Liberty and Gaiety Theatres were demolished. Herts handled engineering and business, while Tallant focused on design. Herbert J. Krapp began his career here as an apprentice.

Their partnership ended in 1912, but their influence continued through Krapp and others who went on to design many of Broadway’s most famous theaters.

Theater list by Herts & Tallant

This is a list of New York theaters designed or associated with the Broadway architectural firm Herts & Tallant. You can view more details about each theater from the links below.

Lyceum Theatre

Shubert Theatre

New Amsterdam Theatre

Longacre Theatre

Booth Theatre

Herbert J. Krapp

Broadway’s most prolific theater architect

Herbert J. Krapp was the most important architect of Broadway’s golden era, designing over a dozen theaters that still define the Theater District today. A former apprentice at Herts & Tallant, he worked with the Shubert brothers to create landmark venues such as the Broadhurst Theatre (1917), Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (formerly Plymouth, 1917), Ambassador Theatre (1921), and Walter Kerr Theatre (originally Ritz, 1921).

Krapp’s designs maximized space efficiency, often using asymmetrical layouts and creative seating to adapt to limited plots of land. His style blended Modern Spanish exteriors with Adam-style interiors, seen in the Majestic Theatre (1927) and Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (1927). He also designed hotels like the Edison and ROW NYC, contributing to Times Square’s development.

Krapp’s legacy remains visible in more Broadway houses than any other architect.

List of theaters designed by Herbert J. Krapp

A list of New York theaters designed by the renowned Broadway architect Herbert J. Krapp. You can view more details about each theater through the links below.

Ambassador Theatre

Lena Horne Theatre

Barrymore Theatre

Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre

Broadhurst Theatre

John Golden Theatre

Hayes Theater

Imperial Theatre

Majestic Theatre

Eugene O’Neill Theatre

Richard Rodgers Theatre

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre

Neil Simon Theatre

Winter Garden Theatre

C. Howard Crane

Architect of grand movie palaces and theaters

Born in Connecticut in 1885, C. Howard Crane became one of America’s leading theater architects. He established his own office in 1908 and designed more than 250 theaters, specializing in lavish movie palaces. Based mainly in Detroit, his masterpieces include the 5,174-seat Fox Theatre (1928), one of the largest surviving movie palaces in the United States.

On Broadway, Crane designed the August Wilson Theatre (originally Guild Theatre, 1925), built with rehearsal rooms, classrooms, and a library — a new concept at the time. He also worked on the Music Box Theatre (1921). Later in life he moved to London, where he died in 1952. Many of his movie palaces across the U.S. still operate today.

List of theaters designed by C. Howard Crane

A list of New York theaters designed by Broadway architect C. Howard Crane. You can view more details about each theater through the links below.

August Wilson Theatre

Music Box Theatre

George Keister

Designer of the Belasco and Apollo Theatres

Astor Theatre, Apollo Theatre, Belasco Theatre

George Keister was active from the late 1800s through the 1930s. Though less well known, he designed several important venues including the Belasco Theatre (1907, originally Stuyvesant Theatre), the Astor Theatre (demolished), and the Bronx Opera House (1913). He also designed the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem (1914).

The Belasco Theatre remains one of Broadway’s most atmospheric houses, reflecting Keister’s ability to balance technical needs with dramatic interiors. His other works include the former Hotel Gerard and various neighborhood theaters across New York City.

Buildings designed by George Keister

A list of theaters and buildings designed by George Keister in New York.

On Broadway

Belasco Theatre

Todd Haimes Theatre

Other Buildings

Apollo Theater

Hotel Gerard

Bronx Opera House

First Baptist Church

Thomas W. Lamb

One of the greatest theater architects

Thomas W. Lamb, born in Scotland in 1871, became one of the most famous theater architects of the early 20th century. After immigrating to New York, he studied at Cooper Union and began designing theaters in 1909. His first major success was the City Theatre on 14th Street. He went on to design movie palaces for Marcus Loew, including the Loew’s State Theatre on Broadway (1921, demolished) and the Loew’s State in Times Square (also demolished).

Though many of his Times Square works were lost, his influence can still be seen in theaters worldwide, from New York to Boston and even India. Lamb died in 1942, leaving behind a global legacy as one of the defining architects of cinema and theater design.