in the making In updating New York’s historic Webster Hall, care was taken not to
lose the venue’s character while bringing it up to modern standards
Above: A collage of posters
from past shows was
preserved during renovation
Opposite page: Webster Hall’s
distinctive red brick exterior
DESIGN
OTJ ARCHITECTS
D esigned by prolific architect
Charles Rentz Jr and constructed
for Charles Goldstein from 1886
to 1887, Webster Hall is widely
regarded as one of New York
City’s most storied and culturally significant
assembly halls. The Queen Ann structure, clad
in red Philadelphia pressed brick accented
with brownstone trim and ornate terracotta,
initially catered to the immigrant and workingclass
populations of the Lower East Side. Since
opening its doors, the venue has played host to
countless dances, conventions, political rallies
and performances by an array of leading – and
at times notorious – artists who helped enshrine
the property in city lore.
The Devil’s Playground
Following the success of a socialist fundraiser
in 1913, Webster Hall became a beacon for East
Village bohemians, drawing the likes of Man Ray
and F Scott Fitzgerald to hedonistic masquerades
even the Prohibition could not dampen. This
‘Devil’s Playground’, as dubbed by the press of
the day, welcomed the city’s early 20th century
gay and lesbian communities, eagerly encouraged
by promoters and partygoers to displays of
flamboyance and appearances in drag.
80 AUDITORIA 2019 VOLUME ONE
Nicole Pereira