Marquis Theatre

The story

The Marquis Theatre sits on the third floor of a hotel, reached by escalator, with wings smaller than city building codes require, no freight elevator, and no dedicated restrooms. Architect John C. Portman Jr. added it to the Marriott Marquis simply to increase the hotel's size. The surrounding neighborhood paid a price: the hotel controversially replaced several existing theaters before opening in 1985. When the Marquis followed in 1986, its design drew sharp criticism even from those who had supported the hotel. The Nederlander Organization operates it still, seating around 1,612 across orchestra and balcony.