The Victoria Theater was designed by Thomas Lamb, with interior murals designed by Arthur Brounet. Located on 125th Street in Harlem, Upper Manhattan, the Theater opened in 1917 as a Vaudeville and Motion Picture house. 

The project involves a complete renovation and adaptive reuse of the building and will preserve and foster Harlem’s cultural heritage through the retention and restoration of significant elements of the Theater. The complex will provide affordable and market rate housing, a new hotel, a venue for local arts, entertainment and cultural programming, and private space for local cultural organizations. 

BCA is the historic preservation consultant, overseeing the interior and exterior restoration design. BCA conducted historic research, performed a hands-on conditions assessment of the historic fabric, conducted investigative probes to uncover historic elements, performed finishes analysis, made treatment recommendations, and prepared construction documents for the restoration scope. BCA’s findings and treatment recommendations all met SHPO approval as part of the 14.09 review process.

In addition, BCA is creating an interpretive exhibit about the Victoria Theater that will include a video of graphic content and narration about the theater, the Harlem Opera Row, and the neighborhood, as well as an exhibition of salvaged physical artifacts.