Five of the Best Theater Cities Around the World
With the 70th annual Tony Awards saluting excellence in Broadway theater, we turn the spotlight on five standing-ovation-worthy places to live
With the 70th annual Tony Awards saluting excellence in Broadway theater, we turn the spotlight on five standing-ovation-worthy places to live
All the world’s a stage, William Shakespeare observed. For theater lovers, this is still very true – most major cities have their own theater districts, so no one has to travel very far to take in a show. From the bright lights of New York’s Broadway to the buzzy vibe of Auckland, New Zealand, we round up five of the best “theaterlands” around the globe.
New York
Current hot tickets include Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour, which has just opened at the Lyric, and Eclipsed at the John Golden Theatre, starring Lupita Nyong’o (until 19 June). For those looking to invest in the original theaterland, Brown Harris Stevens is offering a rare opportunity to own a stunning apartment way up high on Fifth Avenue. The four-bedroom, four-bath duplex offers approximately 4,100 sq ft of indoor space and an additional 1,690 sq ft of outdoor space, and is just a short walk from Broadway ($16,000,000).
London
Equally noteworthy is the Donmar Warehouse, which regularly attracts Hollywood A-listers who want to tread the boards in London. It was here that Nicole Kidman’s performance in The Blue Room was described as “theatrical Viagra”. Looking ahead, the Playhouse Theatre London hosts the return of Stephen Daldry’s multi award-winning production of An Inspector Calls this fall, and Christopher Wheeldon’s Tony Award-winning production of An American in Paris opens at the Dominion Theatre in the spring of 2017. For those looking to reside near the bright lights, Christie’s International Real Estate affiliate Strutt and Parker is marketing a period home in Queen Anne’s Gate. The Grade I-listed property, which has six bedrooms and three baths, is located in the Birdcage Walk Conservation Area, and is just a short taxi ride from all the West End has to offer. (Price on application).
Auckland
For something more intimate and experimental, Q’s studio space, Loft, is the place to visit – the space also showcases timber beams and floor-to-ceiling Art Deco windows looking out onto Queen Street. Looking to invest in this property hotspot? Bayleys, an affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, is currently offering a unique home in sought-after Parnell, which boasts four bedrooms, a modern kitchen, spacious living room, and an indoor–outdoor design with north-facing decks, swimming pool, private spa, and native planting grounds. (Price on application).
Sydney
Also minutes away from the Opera House is Walsh Bay, home to arts organizations such as the Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Dance Company. The Sydney Festival takes place each January. This year it celebrated its 40th anniversary with Desdemona, a re-imaginging of Shakespeare’s Othello by American writer Toni Morrison.
Toronto
Sarah Carter of Chestnut Park, an affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, adds: “Toronto has an exciting, well-established theater district with a wonderful mix of vintage and modern theaters – such as the TIFF Bell Lightbox – and some of the city’s most popular restaurants.” Chestnut Park is currently marketing two spectacular homes within easy reach of Toronto’s cultural offerings: A three-bedroom, four-bath condo at Queens Quay, with spectacular living space and an Arthur Erickson tiered-terrace design, offering views over the harbor and Lake Ontario from every principal room (CA$4,500,000); and on Bay Street a two/three bedroom suite at the luxurious Trump Residences (CA$3,400,000), featuring more than 2,800 sq ft of interior space with 11 ft-high coffered ceilings.