The Original Ziegfeld Theater
The tale begins with the original Ziegfeld Theater, an iconic venue constructed in 1927 on 6th Avenue, nestled between 55th and 54th Street. This grand theater, celebrated for its opulent design and theatrical productions, debuted with the legendary musical Show Boat. Over the decades, it gained a reputation as a cultural landmark.
In 1955, the theater shifted its purpose when it was leased to NBC for use as a television studio. It even served as the venue for the Emmy Awards from 1959 to 1961. However, by 1966, the beloved Ziegfeld Theater met its demise, torn down to make way for a modern skyscraper, a fate that often befalls historic architecture in the ever-evolving New York City skyline.
A New Beginning and an End
Though a new Ziegfeld Theater was opened in 1969 just a short distance from its predecessor, it eventually closed its doors in 2016. The spirit of the original theater, however, lives on—quite literally—in the form of the limestone head.
The Journey of the Limestone Head
The story of how this head found its way to the Upper East Side is both whimsical and serendipitous. In 1966, Jerry Hammer, the owner of the 52 E 80th St building, learned from a developer friend that the Ziegfeld was slated for demolition. In a playful request, Hammer asked if he could have one of the limestone heads adorning the theater’s façade. What began as a joke took a surprising turn when, months later, a crane delivered the monumental sculpture right to his doorstep.
A Relic of Broadway’s Golden Age
Despite moving out of the building in 1998, Hammer left the head behind. Today, it remains a silent sentinel, a tangible relic of Broadway’s golden age and a piece of architectural history. Hidden in plain sight, it serves as a reminder of a bygone era when theaters like the Ziegfeld dazzled audiences with their splendor and innovation.
So next time you stroll past this unusual monument, remember its journey—from the grandeur of a Broadway stage to a quiet corner of the Upper East Side—a testament to the unpredictable ways in which history finds its place in the modern world.