The newly dedicated James Earl Jones Theatre, formerly the Cort Theatre, was built in 1912 and is a landmark recently improved to perform to current patron and production standards. The Shubert Organization engaged Kostow Greenwood Architects to design a new Annex that creates a dialogue between the existing historic theatre and the contemporary addition. The Annex becomes a new architectural gem while still highlighting the features of the existing theatre. The award-winning James Earl Jones Theatre Annex revitalizes the theatre experience through enhanced patron spaces and expanded back-of-house spaces.
The central design concept implemented moments of visual connection to the historic theatre. The feature stair creates a link among the three lounges where patrons can also get a glimpse of the facade of the historic theatre. The new lounges, bars, accessible restrooms will be a highlight for patron experience, while new backstage dressing rooms and rehearsal space will improve the theatre's production capabilities.