Location & Accessibility

Perfectly situated at 34th Street and 8th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, just steps from Penn Station and all major transit. Whether you’re attending or organizing an event, access from guest entrances to our load-in dock is seamless, making your experience effortless from start to finish.

Legacy & Character

The Manhattan Center boasts a rich legacy rooted in over a century of iconic performances and historic moments. Its timeless character, marked by stunning architectural details and a vibrant cultural heritage, creates an unforgettable atmosphere that honors the past while inspiring the future.

Versatility & Design

The Manhattan Center seamlessly blends historic elegance with modern adaptability, offering a versatile backdrop for events of all kinds. From grand galas to immersive brand experiences, our customizable spaces and thoughtful design elements bring every vision to life with style and precision.

White-Glove Service

Clients consistently praise our outstanding team. From seasoned producers to expert lighting, audio, and video technicians, our professionals deliver impeccable white-glove service that shines through every event we create.

Trusted Exclusive Partners

We’ve curated a trusted network of premium event vendors who deliver unforgettable experiences. Each partner is handpicked, vetted, and committed to exceptional service ensuring your guests are wowed and your event is flawless.

The Manhattan Opera House was built in 1906 by Oscar Hammerstein. Hammerstein boldly sought to compete with the established Metropolitan Opera by offering grand opera to the New York public at lower ticket prices and with a superior orchestra and stage productions. Rapidly, it received critical acclaim and became a popular alternative to the Met, and many great operas and celebrated singers debuted at the new theater.

In 1910, after the Metropolitan Opera felt it could no longer tolerate the competition, it offered Hammerstein $1.2 million to cease producing opera for a period of 10 years. He accepted the offer and experimented with various other types of entertainment before ultimately selling the building. In March 1911, it was opened as a “combination” house by the Shubert brothers featuring vaudeville shows during the week and concerts on Sunday nights at affordable prices.

In 1922, the Manhattan Opera House was purchased by the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, who built a new building façade and added the Grand Ballroom on the seventh floor. In 1926, Warner Brothers rented the Ballroom to set up a studio for the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system to record the New York Philharmonic orchestra for the film Don Juan. That film marked the release of the inaugural commercial film featuring a recorded musical soundtrack.

By 1939, the name of the building had been changed to the Manhattan Center, now a multi-purpose venue featuring a variety of different types of events. In 1986, the Manhattan Center was formed to develop the center into a venue with the capability of holding multimedia festivities.

To discuss your event or production needs, please complete the contact form or call the sales department at
(646) 293-1080

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