Ed Sullivan Theater's Future Uncertain After Colbert's Departure

The Ed Sullivan Theater, iconic for hosting the Beatles' American debut and Elvis Presley's controversial pelvic swivel, now sits dark after Stephen Colbert's show left. The building, which also houses offices, is part of a 13-story structure in Manhattan's Theater District. CBS/Paramount, its owner, has stated there are no current plans to sell, but the phrasing leaves room for future changes, especially with the pending Paramount/CBS/Warner Bros. merger. The theater's landmark status protects its lobby and auditorium, preventing conversion into retail, but its future could include becoming a Broadway house again. Originally built as Hammerstein's Theatre in 1927, it seated 1,500 but now holds about 400, below the 500-seat minimum for Tony-eligible Broadway theaters. Converting it back would be costly, with estimates based on the Hudson Theater's $14 million renovation (2017), possibly double today. The demand for Broadway theaters is high, with many existing houses occupied by long-running shows. Three major entities—Shubert Organization, Nederlander Organization, and ATG—own most theaters, and ATG was recently acquired by Ari Emanuel. The building's history includes being a TV studio for David Letterman since 1993, and its fate is part of a broader trend of former Broadway theaters being repurposed or lost.