23. Times Square Theater

Opened on September 30, 1920 by Edgar and Arch Selwyn, the Times Square Theater has lived a long complicated life. Housing 1,057 seats and designed by Eugene DeRosa, the venue has housed several hit plays, including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Strike Up The Band, and Private Lives. It ceased operating as a theater until 1934, when it was converted into a movie theater with the stage converted into a retail store. With that renovation, the Times Square Theater ended its run as a theater.

In the 1980s, the movie theater closed and has since struggled to maintain a tenant. There have been multiple proposals and signings, but due to its expense, none of those companies — including MTV, Ecko Unlimited, Marvel Mania, and the Live Entertainment Corporation of Canada — have taken any concrete steps. In 2012, a chance at revitalization occurred when a long term lease was signed to make a film presentation called Broadway 4D, a dedication to the history of Broadway. It was expected to open last spring, but in 2014 it was reported the project was canceled because of financial problems. As of 2019, the theater was undergoing a $100 million redevelopment into a mixed-use commercial destination.