David H. Koch Theater, Opera house at Lincoln Center, Upper West Side, United States.
The David H. Koch Theater is an opera house at Lincoln Center in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The light travertine-clad facade leads to an interior with golden wall panels and a large spherical chandelier above the orchestra level.
The theater opened in 1964 as the New York State Theater and was meant to provide a home for ballet and opera. Renaming occurred in 2008 after a major donation funded extensive renovation work.
The building carries the name of a businessman who donated a large sum for renovations. Visitors often see dancers in the public areas warming up before or after performances.
The auditorium spreads over several tiers, all offering clear views of the stage. The wide foyers with high windows provide plenty of space to move around during intermissions.
The ceiling displays a pattern of small faceted lights that sparkle like gemstones. These lights form five concentric rings together, running from the center outward.
Location: Upper West Side
Architects: Philip Johnson
Official opening: April 23, 1964
Architectural style: postmodern architecture
Capacity: 2586
Part of: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Address: 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023
GPS coordinates: 40.77190,-73.98360
Latest update: December 5, 2025 15:40
Philip Johnson designed buildings that brought together modernism and classical references, shaping how architecture developed through the 20th century. His work includes glass pavilions, office towers, public spaces, and cultural institutions. His designs show an interest in clean lines, reflective surfaces, and the relationship between interior spaces and their surroundings. The collection features the Glass House in New Canaan, a transparent residence set within the landscape, the Seagram Building in New York, a bronze tower on Park Avenue, and the Puerta de Europa in Madrid, two leaning towers along Paseo de la Castellana. Other examples include the AT&T Building with its distinctive pediment, PPG Place in Pittsburgh with its glass towers inspired by Gothic forms, the IDS Center in Minneapolis, and Pennzoil Place in Houston. The collection also covers the Fort Worth Water Gardens, an urban park with pools and cascades, the Crystal Cathedral in California, a glass and steel worship space, along with the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth and the Kreeger Museum in Washington. These places show different sides of Johnson's practice and his ability to adapt buildings to urban and natural settings.
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