The Beacon Theater, at 2124 Broadway between 74th and 75th Streets, is the older sister to Radio City Music Hall. Just like RCMH, the Beacon was the vision of Samuel “Roxy” Rothafel, the legendary theatrical impresario of the ‘Roaring Twenties.’
The distinctive Art Deco style of the Beacon, designed by the great Chicago architect Walter Ahlschlager, makes the Beacon one of the most magnificent buildings of its kind in New York. The fact that it was designated as a national landmark in 1979 and is on the National Register of Historic Places attests to its unique beauty and historic importance.
The Beacon Theater opened its doors in 1929 and is known for having incredible acoustics. The sound-system was so well designed that the original system is still in use to today, still providing near-perfect acoustics for the pleasure of the audience.
Such entertainment luminaries as the Rolling Stones, Jerry Garcia, Aerosmith, Michael Jackson, James Taylor, Radiohead, and Queen have performed at the Beacon. In October 2006 Bill Clinton concluded the celebration of his 60th birthday at the Beacon with a private Rolling Stones concert.
If you are going to be staying at any of Shimmie Horn’s Triumph Hotels, and especially if you will be a guest at the Hotel Belleclaire at 250 West 77th Street, it is certainly worth a visit to see the glorious Beacon Theater.