A century-old movie palace that is being restored and converted into an arts venue has started booking its first performances as the Loew’s Jersey Theater eyes a November re-opening date.
The theater, which began a massive renovation in 2021, is undergoing a $72 million overhaul that will restore the facility to its former glory, with hopes of attracting national acts. The first date has officially been booked at the facility, as Shyne is bringing his 2622 LGND Tour to the venue on November 6.
The Loew’s Jersey already has three events scheduled so far, including a November date with R&B group Jodeci and a Derek Hough Dance for the Holidays event on December 8.
Opening just before the Great Depression in 1927, the Loew’s Theater sports a decadent Baroque Revival style with marble and gilded trappings throughout. The nonprofit Friends of the Loew’s managed and operated the historic theater since the 1990s before Devils Arena Entertainment initiated a renovation that will transform the outdated theater into a 3,330-seat state-of-the-art performance venue.
The old-school movie palace was one of five “Wonder Theaters” built in the tri-state area during the late 1920s by the Loew’s Corporation, then owners of MGM Studios. The Journal Square theater cost $2 million to build at the time, and the updated version hopes to expand the facility’s use for another century.
Renovations at the theater include state-of-the-art visual and acoustic upgrades, revamped concessions and ticketing areas, reimagined ingress and egress points to meet ADA requirements and expand audience capacity, and major infrastructure improvements including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical upgrades.
The deal allows Devils Arena Entertainment to book at least 20 musical performances annually by nationally recognized artists while allowing for 10 theatrical or stage performances, 10 comedy shows, and an unspecified number of Friends of the Loew’s-sponsored events.
A full calendar of events at the Loew’s Jersey Theater can be found here. While an official opening date has not been announced for the facility, it appears the theater’s fall 2026 timeline will be met.
