New Haven Music Hall Reopens After 12 Years

It was the start of a new era for an old theater in the heart of New Haven on Friday, which nearly sold out on opening night after more than a decade on vacancy.

Music blared up into the rafters for the first time in years as the theater, which seats nearly 2,000, officially opened for business. The College Street Music Hall aims to be a premiere entertainment destination in downtown New Haven.

"It's exactly what New Haven needs," said Ian Akers, a New Haven resident attending Friday's show.

His reviews after opening night – of both the band and the venue – were great.

"My wife and I were able to come downtown, had dinner at Prime 16," he said. "Just a great dinner downtown."

The theater has history, but not everyone even knew the venue existed.

"I remember walking by this place all the time and never even knowing this was a theater," said New Haven resident Katie Maciejko.

The music hall was built in 1926 and operated as the Palace Theater until it closed down 12 years ago. The theater sat empty until four months ago, when teams of subcontractors started working around the clock to renovate the venue.

The initiative was a public-private partnership that the mayor of New Haven says will pay off.

"It will create economic synergies for the restaurants and other venues in town," said Mayor Toni Harp. "It just makes people want to come here for entertainment. We've got everything here."

A Pink Floyd cover band called the Machine shared the stage with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra during the inaugural performance.

"It was kind of exciting to see there's something going on and that it's open," said New Haven resident Adrienne Nelson.

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