Royale Theater

History and architecture

The Royale Theater survives today as one of the historic theaters that symbolize American theater for both New York and the nation. Built in 1926-27, the Royale was among the half-dozen theaters constructed by the Chanin Organization in the mid-1920s, to the designs of Herbert J. Krapp, that typified the development of the Times Square/Broadway theater district.

Founded by Irwin S. Chanin, the Chanin organization was a major construction company in New York. During the 1920s, Chanin branched out into the building of theaters, and helped create much of the ambience of the heart of the theater district. Chanin built the Royale as part of a complex on Shubert Alley including three theaters--the Theatre Masque (now the Golden), Royale and Majestic--and a hotel, the Lincoln (now the Milford Plaza). The theaters were of varying sizes, and the Royale was intended to be a musical comedy theater of 1200 seats.

Herbert J. Krapp, who designed all the Chanins' theaters, was the most prolific architect of the Broadway theater district. Having worked in the offices of Herts & Tallant, premier theater designers of the pre-war period, Krapp went on to design theaters for the two major builders of the post-war era, the Shubert and Chanin organizations.

The Royale represents a typical and important aspect of the nation's theatrical history. Beyond its historical importance, its facade is a handsome design, one of a group of Chanin theaters which depart from the traditional neo-Classical style for a more romantic, eclectic style which Chanin and Krapp called "Spanish modern."