The Loew’s Jersey Theatre, located in Journal Square, Jersey City, is in the middle of a major $130 million renovation. The theater first opened in September 1929, just before the Great Depression. It was designed in the Baroque Revival style by architects C.W. and George Rapp and was known for its marble finishes, gold details, and grand design.
The building is now 96 years old and was added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places in 1985. It officially closed on August 21, 1986, after years of disrepair. While it reopened for limited events in 2001, it has not been fully restored until now.
Construction started in 2021, and the building is still a construction site. Inside, the seats have been removed, the ceiling plaster is being repaired, and the smell of fresh sawdust fills the air. Workers are rebuilding areas like the mezzanine lounges and musician galleries. Work on the upper and mid balconies began in 2022.
- The Loew’s Jersey Theatre is being renovated for $130 million and will reopen in fall 2026 with modern systems, ADA access, and seating for up to 4,000 people.
- Jersey City, with support from the state and HBSE, is using the project to turn Journal Square into a major arts and entertainment district.
- Some residents are upset that changes, like removing the original marquee, were made without public input, despite decades of community efforts to save the theater.
How the Loew’s Theatre Restoration Supports Journal Square
Mayor Steven Fulop recently visited the site and said the renovation is more than just fixing up one building. He believes it will help bring new life to the Journal Square neighborhood. Fulop pointed out that, before World War II, the area had three performance halls. Celebrities like Frank Sinatra were seen there, and the Loew’s was once a popular place for shows and movies.
Fulop wants Jersey City, especially Journal Square, to become the main center for arts and entertainment in New Jersey. He mentioned that Newark is often seen as holding that title, with places like NJPAC, Symphony Hall, and the Newark Museum of Art. He also named the Princeton University Art Museum as another major cultural site.
Fulop also supports building another venue called the Symphony Center in the Powerhouse Arts District. This new space would become home to the New Jersey Symphony. The symphony also announced in 2024 that it would move its offices from Newark, where it had been based since 1965, to Jersey City.
Geoff Anderson, vice president of the New Jersey Symphony, said the move had been in the works for three years. He believes Jersey City will become the most populated city in the state. He also said that people from New York are already attending shows and expect even more visitors once the new concert hall opens. He pointed out that it would be easy to get to the venue by PATH train or ferry.
Another big part of Fulop’s vision is to bring the Centre Pompidou, a world-famous museum, to 808 Pavonia Avenue in Jersey City. When asked about it, he simply said, “It’s coming,” showing that he believes the project will happen.
Loew’s Theatre Construction Details and Timeline
The construction is being led by Phelps Construction Group. The project is funded through a partnership between Jersey City, the State of New Jersey, and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE). HBSE is also in charge of booking and managing the Loew’s. They already run the Prudential Center in Newark and White Eagle Hall in Jersey City.
The renovation was originally expected to cost $72 million in 2021, but the price has gone up to $130 million. A spokesperson from HBSE said the increase came from construction delays and rising material costs.
Doug Phelps, CEO of Phelps Construction Group, said the goal is to restore the theater’s historic look while also making it modern and functional. He confirmed that all the original design elements will be brought back to life, and the building will become a “state-of-the-art facility.”
The updates include brand-new heating, air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and a sprinkler system. The building will also meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards.
One special feature is the ability to change the seating setup. The Loew’s will have space for 2,500 to 4,000 people, depending on the event. Some seats will be built on platforms that can be moved to the basement. This will allow for standing-room shows when needed.
Another important piece of the renovation is the “Wonder Morton” pipe organ, which is being carefully protected during construction. The Garden State Theatre Organ Society confirmed it will be featured once the theater reopens.
What Events to Expect at the New Loew’s Jersey Theatre
The restored Loew’s Jersey Theatre is scheduled to reopen in fall 2026. Once open, it will host around 110 events during its first year. These will include touring music acts, comedy shows, and local stage productions.
Bill Hanousek, corporate communications manager for HBSE, explained that Loew’s will likely have the same variety of shows seen at the Prudential Center. He said, “If you look at the calendar of events at Prudential, you see K-pop, hip hop, legacy acts, top-40 artists — expect to see the same thing here.” He also mentioned the potential for Netflix and comedy specials.
The renovation is also expected to help the local economy. Mayor Fulop said the project will create 115 permanent jobs in the Journal Square area. He added that many more jobs could come from nearby restaurants, coffee shops, and nightlife businesses once the theater is open. He pointed to White Eagle Hall as an example of how a smaller venue helped improve its neighborhood. Fulop said the Loew’s project is much bigger and will make an even greater difference.
Local Reactions to the Loew’s Theatre Renovation
Not everyone is happy with how the project is being handled. A local resident wrote an opinion piece describing their strong connection to the theater. They remembered going to the Loew’s as a child and said it felt like a magical place.
The writer was upset about the removal of the theater’s original marquee and said the change happened without public input. They said, “That’s not preservation. That’s erasure.” The op-ed called for more transparency from city leaders and more communication with the public.
Groups like Friends of the Loew’s and the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy, who helped save the building in the past, are also concerned. The op-ed argued that local residents should have a say in how public money is used, especially when restoring historic buildings.
In response, Doug Phelps confirmed that the marquee will be restored to match the 1929 original. He also said all the historic features are being brought back as closely as possible.
While Friends of the Loew’s will no longer manage the theater, they will still be involved as the nonprofit partner during and after the restoration.
