Address, opening, capacity of Minskoff Theatre
Basic Information about the Minskoff Theatre in NYC
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Address: |
200 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036（
Map ）
Located on 44 and 45 Street, between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue
*You can enter the theater from either 44th Street or 45th Street.
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Opened: |
1973 |
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Capacity: |
1,621 seats |
Seating Chart of Minskoff Theatre
The Minskoff Theatre has a seating capacity of 1,621 seats, divided into two main sections: Orchestra (1st level) and Mezzanine (2nd level).
*Click to view larger image
View from the seat of Minskoff Theatre
You can view real seat photos from inside the the Minskoff Theatre to see the stage from sections. These images help you choose the seating option that best suits your Broadway experience.
Orchestra Side Row V
Mezzanine Center
Directions to Minskoff Theatre
Access to Minskoff Theatre are most commonly by taking the New York City Subway (MTA).
The area around the theatre becomes very crowded close to showtime, so whether you are arriving by subway or taxi, please allow extra time to reach the venue.
Map, location of Minskoff Theatre
Here is the map of the Minskoff Theatre.
Best hotels near the Minskoff Theatre
Discover the best hotels near the Minskoff Theatre. Stay within walking distance of Broadway and enjoy easy access to shows, restaurants, and attractions.
The list of recommended hotels near the theater:
History of the Minskoff Theatre
A Broadway theatre created inside One Astor Plaza
The Minskoff Theatre opened in 1973 on the third floor of One Astor Plaza, a skyscraper in Times Square. The theatre was named after the Minskoff family, the developers of the building. One Astor Plaza was constructed on the site of the former Astor Hotel, once a Times Square landmark. Originally planned as an office tower, the project was strongly encouraged by then-mayor John Lindsay to include a Broadway theatre as part of the development, given its prime location in the heart of the Theater District.
Since opening, the Minskoff has hosted musicals, dance performances, concerts, and even major events such as the 45th and 49th Tony Awards ceremonies. In preparation for Disney’s “The Lion King” in 2006, the theatre underwent a full renovation. Today, visitors riding the escalator in the main lobby are greeted by a massive statue of Mufasa, and the glass-enclosed upper lobby offers sweeping views of Times Square.
Inside the Minskoff Theatre
About One Astor Plaza
One Astor Plaza is a 54-story office tower in Times Square, standing 745 feet (227 meters) tall. Before its construction, the site was home to the famous Hotel Astor, which operated from 1904 to 1967. The 11-story hotel featured 1,000 rooms, an extensive wine cellar, and a rooftop garden, making it one of the city’s most fashionable destinations of its time.
The Astor family sold the property to Sheraton in the 1950s, and the building was later redeveloped as an office tower. Designed by architect Der Scutt, who also designed Trump Tower, One Astor Plaza was completed in 1972. Today, it houses the headquarters of Paramount Global (formerly Viacom), the Minskoff Theatre on the third floor, the MTV studio on the second floor, and several retail spaces.
The architect of the Minskoff Theatre
Ely Jacques Kahn and his high-rise designs
Ely Jacques Kahn was a New York–born architect known for his many commercial high-rises. His designs often incorporated setbacks, a zoning requirement introduced by the 1916 Zoning Resolution to allow light and air into the streets. Kahn studied at Columbia University and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, blending functionality with creative design. His Art Deco influenced towers helped shape the city’s skyline, and he also curated influential exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1929.
What is a setback?
As skyscrapers grew taller in the early 20th century, concerns arose about dark streets and lack of sunlight. In 1916, New York enacted a zoning resolution limiting building mass and height by district. This gave rise to the setback design, in which upper floors recede in stages to let in more light and air. Originally a practical solution, setbacks became a distinctive aesthetic of New York architecture.
Kahn’s best-known work includes 1400 Broadway, designed with its iconic stepped form. His style combined European classical influences, Cubism, Modernism, and Art Deco, leaving a lasting mark on New York’s architecture.
The Kahn & Jacobs partnership
In 1940, Kahn partnered with Robert Allan Jacobs, son of architect Harry Allan Jacobs, forming the firm Kahn & Jacobs. Their projects included the Universal Pictures Building, 100 Park Avenue, and renovations for the New York Stock Exchange in 1956.
Notable works by Ely Jacques Kahn
1400 Broadway
Address: 1400 Broadway
Asphalt Plant
Address: 555 E 90th St
120 Wall Street
Address: 120 Wall Street
Film Center Building
Address: 630 9th Avenue
1095 Avenue of the Americas
Address: 1095 Avenue of the Americas
810 Seventh Avenue
Address: 810 Seventh Avenue
399 Park Avenue
Address: 399 Park Avenue
AT&T City Center
Address: 600 19th St N Birmingham, AL
The Minskoff family
The Minskoff family were prominent New York real estate developers. Founder Sam Minskoff immigrated from Russia in 1908 and established a family business that expanded into hotels, office towers, apartments, and shopping centers. After Sam’s passing, his son Henry H. Minskoff took over, serving on the boards of Sterling National Bank and Sterling Bancorp, as well as working with Gemco National Inc. Although the family later sold many properties, their name endures through the Minskoff Theatre.
The Minskoff Theatre and “The Lion King”
Home to Disney’s blockbuster musical
Disney’s “The Lion King” premiered on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre in 1997. In 2006, Disney Theatrical Productions moved the show to the Minskoff Theatre to make room for “Mary Poppins” at the New Amsterdam. The Minskoff was closed for six months and underwent a $4 million renovation involving more than 200 craftsmen, upgrading the stage, technical equipment, and public areas.
In April 2012, “The Lion King” surpassed “The Phantom of the Opera” to become the highest-grossing title in Broadway history, earning over $853 million at the box office. It remains one of the longest-running and most successful shows ever staged on Broadway, beloved worldwide and especially popular for first-time theatregoers.
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Lines,
49 Ststation (About a 5-minute walk)
