Wikipedia

Herbert J. Krapp

Herbert J. Krapp (1887–1973) was a 20th-century theatre architect and designer, notable for his contributions to Broadway theater district architecture.[1][2] Known for his innovative approach to design, his built work favors width, rather than depth, to create better sightlines for an "intimate theatre" experience.[3]

Herbert J. Krapp
BornFebruary 21, 1886 (1886-02-21)
New York City, U.S.
DiedFebruary 16, 1973(1973-02-16) (aged 86)
Florida, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Known forTheatre architecture, especially on Broadway
SpouseElaine Tuska

Of the 41 Broadway theatres now standing, Krapp designed 13 and redesigned two.[4] All, or nearly all, of the façades and interiors of his theatres have since been designated historic landmarks by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.[5]

Career

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A graduate of Cooper Union, and an apprentice with the Herts & Tallant firm until 1915, Krapp began working in theatre architecture at the time when architects were just beginning to design "a playhouse's exterior and interior as a single, integrated design."[1][6] His functional innovations include orchestra-level stadium seating, and single, rather than double, balconies above it.[7]

He favored neoclassical façades, incorporating elements, such as ornamental iron balconies, patterned brickwork and grilles, as well as decorative pilasters, cornices, arches and frieze.[8] A frequent user of the Adam style, sometimes complemented with Elizabethan, Mediterranean, Mission or other revival elements, Krapp's interiors made regular use of recessed ceilings, wall columns and ornamental wall panels, decorated with floral or geometric motifs.[4]

Sometime between 1912 and 1916, in addition to designing theatres for the Chanin brothers, Krapp began working directly with the Shubert brothers.[9] His first independent commissions for them were the Broadhurst and the neighboring Plymouth Theatre (now known as the Schoenfeld), which opened within two weeks of each other, and were designed as mirror images of each other.[10] Krapp would eventually become their primary architect, designing the Lyceum, Shubert, Booth, New Amsterdam and Longacre Theatres, among many others.[11]

Krapp was well known for his ability to use his building space to its fullest potential. For the Majestic Theatre, Krapp incorporated stadium seating into the plans for the orchestra level, creating better sightlines and allowing for the creation of larger lounge and lobby areas. He designed the Ambassador Theatre on a diagonal plan to fit it into a small site. Krapp renovated the Winter Garden Theatre and the Helen Hayes Theatre in the 1920s. He also designed the Hotel Edison, the Lincoln Hotel (now the Row NYC Hotel), and numerous other buildings.

Although the stock market crash of 1929 brought an end to the theatre building boom, Krapp remained with the Shuberts until 1963, supervising the maintenance and renovations of the existing venues. He also experimented with inventing; one of the tools he created was patented and used by the U.S. Air Force. He died in Florida in 1973.

Broadway Façades

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Theatres and hotels

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Current Broadway theatres

Other notable buildings

References

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  1. ^ a b Landmarks Preservation Commission (Nov 17, 1987). "Designation List 196 LP-1333" (PDF). NYC.gov.
  2. ^ "HERBERT KRAPP, 86, THEATER ARCHITECT". The New York Times. 1973-02-17. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  3. ^ Grant, Neva (Jan 2, 2012). "Up Close And Personal: Introducing Intimate Theater". NPR.
  4. ^ a b "Broadway Theatre Design: Architect Herbert J. Krapp | Broadway Scene". Broadway Scene | Provided by All Tickets Inc. 2013-05-19. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  5. ^ "Theater District |". Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  6. ^ "Herbert J. Krapp". Oxford Reference. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  7. ^ "Majestic Theatre | Shubert Organization". shubert.nyc. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  8. ^ "Barrymore Theatre | Shubert Organization". shubert.nyc. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  9. ^ Vasquez, Sabrina (2018-03-21). "Krapp or Treasure?… Maybe it's both". The Buzz Archive. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  10. ^ "Broadhurst Theatre | Shubert Organization". shubert.nyc. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  11. ^ "Theatre Database / Theatre Architecture - database, projects". www.theatre-architecture.eu. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  12. ^ "Ambassador Theatre". Shubert Organization. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  13. ^ "Barrymore Theatre". Shubert Organization. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Stern, Robert A. M.; Gilmartin, Patrick; Mellins, Thomas (1987). New York 1930: Architecture and Urbanism Between the Two World Wars. New York: Rizzoli. ISBN 978-0-8478-3096-1. OCLC 13860977.
  15. ^ "Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre". Shubert Organization. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  16. ^ "Broadhurst Theatre". Shubert Organization. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  17. ^ "Golden Theatre". Shubert Organization. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  18. ^ "Imperial Theatre". Shubert Organization. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  19. ^ "Majestic Theatre". Shubert Organization. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  20. ^ "Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre". Shubert Organization. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  21. ^ "Forrest Theater". Archived from the original on 2014-08-27. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
  22. ^ Loew's Woodside
  23. ^ Ron Marzlock The Boulevard Theater, an icon in Jackson Heights May 7, 2009 Queens Chronicle
  24. ^ "Auditorium, Central Theatre, West 47th Street, New York City" Plate 161 Architecture and Building Vol. 50 No. 9 (December 1918). Online at Google Books.
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