The Historic Queen Theater anchors the downtown Market Street corridor, which is currently undergoing an intense revitalization. Originally constructed as a hotel in 1872, the 5 story building was converted into a movie and performance theater in 1915, in the process becoming one of the earliest buildings to utilize cast-in-place reinforced concrete.

Wilmington-based real estate developers, the Buccini/Pollin Group, and the City of Wilmington partnered to restore The Queen into a fully operational performing-arts venue centered around live music.  The Queen opened in April 2011 and houses a 400-seat live music theater, a separate restaurant and bar with a performance stage, and two floors of private event space. The Queen has hosted noble live music with artists including: St. Vincent, Ben Harper, Ingrid Michaelson, Brian McKnight, Bob Mould, Animal Collective, Neutral Milk Hotel, Courtney Barnett, Dead Milkmen and Biz Markie.

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Light Up The Queen Foundation

For a photo journal of the renovation, please click here.