Webster Hall, the legendary music and entertainment venue located in Manhattan’s East Village, reopened its doors this spring after Shawmut completed a comprehensive renovation that modernized the icon—the first full renovation in the 133-year-old building’s history. The updates provide an enhanced guest experience and seamless performer experiences while honoring the legacy of the venue and preserving as much of its character as possible.

The Shawmut renovation included: the installation of four new staircases and an elevator to increase efficiency, new and enhanced dressing rooms for performers and their management teams, a new lobby bar, a repositioned bar to provide better sightlines for guests, new merchandizing space, and a completely new sprinkler, mechanical, and fire alarm system. To provide direct access to the elevator and entry stair, the team built a new street-level entrance on 11^th St. To maintain the original look and feel of the building’s façade, the team removed, salvaged, and reinstalled the original brick flower panels and fluted terracotta.

Design elements throughout the venue pay homage to the past—the fluted glass behind the lounge bar was inspired by the building’s original fluted glass windows. Custom gold wall stenciling that was uncovered during demolition inspired the design on both the lounge and lobby walls.