White Eagle Hall

Last updated
White Eagle Hall
White Eagle Hall.jpg
Location map of Hudson County, New Jersey.svg
Red pog.svg
Location within Hudson County, New Jersey
General information
StatusOpen
TypePerformance Venue
Address335-337 Newark Avenue
Town or city Jersey City, New Jersey
Country United States
Coordinates 40°43′30″N74°03′06″W / 40.7249°N 74.0517°W / 40.7249; -74.0517
Opened1910
Renovated2016
Management Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
Height5 stories
Other information
Seating capacity800 standing / 400 seated
Website
White Eagle Hall

White Eagle Hall is a music, theatre, and dining venue in a restored historic building in the Village neighborhood of Downtown Jersey City, New Jersey, located on Newark Avenue. Originally built in 1910 as a community center. It was used for events such as bingo games, dance recitals, and concerts, and later as a basketball practice hall. It has been restored as a performing arts, gallery space, and restaurant complex. The venue is operated by Devils Arena Entertainment, a division of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE).

Contents

Construction and architecture

The white eagle is part of the coat of arms of Poland. White Eagle Hall, which opened in 1910 was built by Polish immigrants and craftsmen under the direction Rev. Peter Boleslaus Kwiatowski, who established numerous parishes in northeastern New Jersey. The facade of the building is adorned with busts of Polish heroes Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Casimir Pulaski, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, and Henryk Sienkiewicz. There are two glass skylights – one commemorating Frédéric Chopin, the classical music composer, and the other Marcella Sembrich, an internationally renowned opera star. [1] The venue has a capacity of 800 standing or 400 seated, and can be configured for other events. [2] It features three separate bars, 28 foot-high ceilings; a 25-foot high proscenium stage (30 feet wide and 25 feet deep) with two levels of back-stage areas, including fully equipped dressing rooms and warm up areas. The building also houses restaurants. [3] It is seen as an important new venue in the Hudson County music scene. [4] and has become a premiere music venue in the state. [5]

History

In 1934, ownership was transferred to St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church and served, among other purposes, as a bingo hall. For many years it was the practice gym of the national powerhouse St. Anthony High School basketball team, the Friars. They did not play any home games there (they often played at the Jersey City Armory). Coach Bob Hurley led this team to 28 state championships, 4 national championships becoming the winningest high school basketball program in United States history and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. [6] From 1968 to 1975 "Battle of the Bands" contests took place on the stage, where talents such as Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Frank Infante, the guitarist for Blondie, got their start. [7]

Beginning in 2013, the building underwent a comprehensive multimillion-dollar historic restoration by the Ben LoPiccolo Development Group. The original wood floor was used as bar counters and balcony flooring; wood fixtures from nearby Saint Boniface Church (from 1865) were used in the window frames, bar sides and balcony railings and ledges; Boniface altar fixtures are part the box office and merchandise area. [8] The venue reopened in April 2017. [9] [10] Devils Arena Entertainment, a division of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), took over management of the venue in September 2021. [11]


See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soaring Eagle Casino</span> Casino and Resort in Mount Pleasant, Michigan

The Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort is a Casino, Hotel, and Entertainment venue located near Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It is owned and operated by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Nation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield</span> Theatre in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England

The Lyceum is a 1,068-seat theatre in the City of Sheffield, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prudential Center</span> Multipurpose arena in Newark, New Jersey

Prudential Center is a multipurpose indoor arena in the central business district of Newark, New Jersey, United States. Opened in 2007, it is the home of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL), the New York Sirens of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), and the men's basketball program of Seton Hall University. By 2023, it was among the top five concert venues worldwide by earnings. The arena is owned by the Newark Housing Authority and operated through Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mayflower Theatre</span> Theatre in Southampton, England

Mayflower Theatre is a Grade II listed theatre in the city centre of Southampton, England, with a capacity of 2,300. It features West End theatre shows when they tour the United Kingdom. In addition to this, one-off comedy shows and music events often take place at the theatre too.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Webster Hall</span> Nightclub in Manhattan, New York

Webster Hall is a nightclub and concert venue located at 125 East 11th Street, between Third and Fourth Avenues, near Astor Place, in the East Village of Manhattan, New York City. It is one of New York City's most historically significant theater and event halls, having hosted social events of all types since the club's construction in 1886 as a "hall for hire". Its current incarnation was opened in 1992 by the Ballinger brothers, with a capacity of 1,400, providing its traditional role as well as for corporate events, and for a recording studio. A scholarly account of Webster Hall and its place in the wider history of rock music in Lower Manhattan was published in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Howard Theatre</span> Music venue and theatre in Washington, D.C.

The Howard Theatre is a historic theater, located at 620 T Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C., has been a pillar of the community since its opening in 1910. This historic venue, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, showcases a variety of events, including live music, comedy, weddings, private events, and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Anthony High School (New Jersey)</span> Defunct Catholic high school in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States

St. Anthony High School was a four-year co-educational Catholic high school in Jersey City, New Jersey, that was known for its high-powered basketball program coached by Bob Hurley Sr. The school closed in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridlington Spa</span> Conference centre in England

Bridlington Spa is a dance hall, theatre and conference centre in Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. Refurbished between 2006 and 2008 and further updated with a new branding in 2016, the venue boasts a large Art Deco ball room, Edwardian theatre, art gallery and a selection of other meeting and event spaces; all featuring outstanding views over Bridlington's South Bay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plaza Cinema, Stockport</span> Cinema in England

The Plaza is a Grade II* listed art deco single-screen cinema and theatre in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England. It opened in 1932, its construction having involved the excavation of the sandstone cliff behind it. After an initial closure in 1966 and a subsequent period in use as a bingo hall by Rank Leiure, it has now been restored as a cinema and theatre, showing films and staging live shows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troxy</span> Entertainment venue in Stepney, London

Troxy is a Grade II-listed Art Deco music venue on Commercial Road in Stepney, London. Built as a cinema in 1933, it closed in 1960 and became a training school for the London Opera Centre. In the 1980s the building was used as a bingo hall, and the Troxy was converted to a live events space in 2006. The building is considered a vital part of East London's history and was Grade II listed in 1990. It has a capacity of 3,100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Closed cinemas in Kingston upon Hull</span>

In 1898 William Morton's Theatre Royal showed a 'Veriscope' film, probably the first time any film was shown in a Hull theatre. The Prince's Hall was the first purpose-built cinema in Kingston upon Hull, and was opened in George Street by Morton in 1910. As Hull embraced the new age of public entertainment, attendances at traditional theatre declined. Luxurious cinemas, taking their inspiration from theatres and music halls, were built to accommodate audiences in almost every neighbourhood in the city. By 1914, there were 29 cinemas, theatres and halls showing films in the city. The London and Provincial Cinema Company owned the Hippodrome; the National Electric Picture Theatres owned the Theatre de Luxe, but Morton's was the largest and most influential cinema chain in Hull.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Savoy Theatre, Monmouth</span> Theatre and cinema in Monmouth, Wales

The Savoy Theatre, Church Street, Monmouth is a theatre and cinema, reputedly the oldest working theatre site in Wales. It has a capacity for 360 people and is run by a charitable trust. One of 24 buildings on the Monmouth Heritage Trail, the theatre is a Grade II* listed building.

Bradford Odeon is the name applied to two different cinemas in central Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. One, in Godwin Street, was built in 1930 and survives; the other, in Manchester Road, was built in 1938 and demolished in 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Harris (businessman)</span> American investor and sports team owner (born 1964)

Joshua Jordan Harris is an American investor, sports team owner, and philanthropist. He is a co-founder of the private equity firm Apollo Global Management and managing partner of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, the NHL's New Jersey Devils, and the NFL's Washington Commanders. Harris is also a general partner of the English football club Crystal Palace and holds a minority stake in Joe Gibbs Racing. He has an estimated net worth of over US$11 billion.

David Scott Blitzer is an American investor and sports team owner. He is the chairman of the private equity firm Blackstone and managing partner of the NHL's New Jersey Devils and NBA's Philadelphia 76ers. Blitzer also manages several association football clubs under Global Football Holdings, owns 25% of the MLB's Cleveland Guardians, and is a limited partner of the NFL's Washington Commanders, making him the first person to own team equity in the five major sports leagues of North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy Cinema, Chadwell Heath</span>

The Embassy Cinema is a former cinema in the town of Chadwell Heath, Greater London. It was once known, among locals, as The Gaumont. It was designed in an art deco style, with a streamline moderne interior, by Harry Weston in 1934. The building is situated on the border of Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham, in the Chadwell Heath District Centre. The cinema closed in 1966 and became a Bingo Hall. In 2015, following the closure of the Bingo Hall, it was then used as a wedding hall/banqueting suite. The building was listed as an Asset of Community Value by the 'Chadwell Heath South Residents' Association' in August 2017 and is currently the focus of a major cinema restoration project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Majestic, Leeds</span> Building in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

The Majestic is a Grade II listed building on City Square, Leeds, occupying the corner of Quebec Street and Wellington Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment</span> American sports and venue management company

Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment LLC (HBSE) is an American sports and venue management company founded by Josh Harris and David Blitzer in September 2017. HBSE owns and operates the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL), their minor league affiliates, and the Prudential Center. HBSE also holds a minority stake in the NASCAR team Joe Gibbs Racing. The company is headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, and was valued at $11.86 billion in 2024.

Thaddeus Brown is an American sports executive who is the chief executive officer (CEO) of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which includes the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He formerly served as CEO of the NBA's Houston Rockets and the Toyota Center. Brown is a graduate of Colgate University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">76 Place at Market East</span> Proposed arena in Philadelphia

76 Place at Market East was a proposed 18,500-capacity indoor arena planned for Center City, Philadelphia that would have served as the home of the city's National Basketball Association (NBA) team, the Philadelphia 76ers. Originally planned for a 2031 opening to coincide with the expiration of the team's current lease of the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia, the arena would have been located along the north side of Market Street between 10th and 11th Streets, extending to Cuthbert Street, occupying what is now the western third of Fashion District Philadelphia and the defunct Philadelphia Greyhound Terminal.

References

  1. "Mystery Solved: The Four Men on White Eagle Hall". timothyherrick.blogspot.nl. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  2. Lustig, Jay (3 May 2017). "Renovated White Eagle Hall brings music to Jersey City". The Record. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  3. Zeitlinger, Nicholas (3 July 2016). "White Eagle Hall completes first phase with opening of French restaurant". THe Jersey Journal. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  4. Testa, Jim (5 April 2017). "Is Maxwell's for sale? White Eagle Hall is opening; Cathedral Hall growing". The Jersey Journal. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  5. admin (2021-09-23). "Historic, 800-Capacity Performance Venue, White Eagle Hall to be Operated by the Booking and Management Team at Prudential Center". HBSE. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  6. Armstrong, Kevin (8 April 2017). "St. Anthony legendary practice gym reopens as music hall". New York Daily News . Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  7. Blair, Gillian (3 April 2017). "Finally! The Beautifully Restored White Eagle Hall Reopens This Month". Jersey Digs. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  8. Barbagallo, Lauren (March 21, 2014). "White Eagle Hall Two husband-and-wife teams—along with a local indie-music legend—are working to put this magnificent old building back in business". Hudson Reporter. Archived from the original on March 4, 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  9. Keller, Kristen (7 April 2017). "Jersey City's White Eagle Hall set to reopen today". The Jersey Journal. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  10. Keller, Kristen (6 April 2017). "White Eagle Hall set to reopen Friday in Jersey City". The Jersey Journal. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  11. West, Teri (February 2, 2024). "Jersey City's White Eagle Hall settling into a niche as a regional music powerhouse". NJ.com. Retrieved January 13, 2025.