By Jacob Owens for Delaware Business Times
Thanks to the generosity of longtime donors Tatiana and Gerret Copeland, The Playhouse on Rodney Square has undergone a complete $1 million renovation during its extended closure of indoor performances.
The 108-year-old Broadway style touring house is famously known for having been built by 100 men in 150 working days and at one point held the distinction as having one of the largest singular steel beams ever made to top off the proscenium arch. The Playhouse also holds the distinction of being the country’s longest continuously operating Broadway touring house (pre-COVID). Famous names such as Julie Andrews, Bette Davis, Fred Astaire, Carol Channing, Christopher Plummer, Abby Wambach, and Sutton Foster have all graced its stage….
“The Grand’s renovation of the historic Playhouse on Rodney Square coincides with BPG’s ongoing renovation of the Dupont Building,” commented Chris Buccini, co-President of The Buccini/Pollin Group. “It is another visual representation of our partnership with The Grand and both organizations’ commitment to Wilmington’s ongoing renaissance. The Playhouse’s re-opening times perfectly with the ground floor renovations of the Hotel Du Pont lobby, Le Cavalier at the Green Room, the office lobby for the Chemours headquarters and the M&T Bank Branch, as well as the opening of Currie Salon and Spa, the apartments at 101 dupont place, and DECO food hall. In all, nearly 50,000 SF and $15 million of renovations were completed during COVID alone to welcome back the community to heart of downtown Wilmington.”