Located nearly eight miles away from Times Square, the landmark United Palace in Washington Heights is a lasting reminder of the golden age of cinema, and will provide a fitting backdrop for the Tonys on Sunday. This former Loew’s “Wonder Theater” has a mysterious and beguiling design, with an exterior reminiscent of Egyptian, Aztec, Mayan, or Mughal architecture. The interior boasts gleaming golden surfaces and strikingly detailed lighting fixtures that feature twin elephants and peacocks with seahorses.
The 3,400-seat auditorium, designed by prominent theater architect Thomas W. Lamb, features intricately designed bodhisattvas and mythical creatures as well as ornate details like acanthus leaves and rosettes.
The building is a unique blend of architectural styles, and former New York Times reporter and columnist David W. Dunlap accurately described the interior as “Byzantine-Romanesque-Indo-Hindu-Sino-Moorish-Persian-Eclectic-Rococo-Deco.”
Built in 1930, the theater was initially one of five Wonder Theaters operated by Loew’s in the city. Reinventing the meaning of “movie palaces” at the time, it aimed to induce feelings of enchanted befuddlement.
After years of lying relatively dormant, under the ownership of the televangelist Frederick J. Eikerenkoetter, the theater was resurrected and christened the United Palace by his son, Xavier Eikerenkoetter, who shifted the focus towards the arts after Reverend Ike’s death in 2009. The United Palace now serves as a center for cultural activities. It was here that Lin-Manuel Miranda, writer and star of Hamilton, discovered the theater while conducting a sound check for a concert in 2013. Struck by its beauty, he has since spearheaded initiatives to bring the magic of the movies and the stage to the local community. Today, the United Palace is a vibrant hub, hosting events and screening movies for the pleasure of the community. On Sunday, it will welcome the Tonys, powering its latest initiative and setting an example of inclusive engagement for many communities worldwide.
