Shea’s Performing Arts Center

Buffalo Construction Consultants (BCC) was selected at the construction manager in spring 2024 for the Strategic Expansion & Accessibility Project at the historic Shea’s Performing Arts Center in downtown Buffalo, NY at 439 Pearl Street.

The scope of work for this project includes the construction of a five story (plus basement) addition to the south face of the existing Shea’s Buffalo Theatre. The approximately 27,000 sq. ft. addition will provide accessibility to the theater with an accessible drop off and two elevators. It will also provide additional restrooms and assembly areas. Construction is scheduled to commence in fall 2024.

Shea’s Performing Arts Center campus consists of three core cultural art centers, Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, Shea’s 710 Theatre, and Shea’s Smith Theatre. Shea’s Buffalo Theatre opened in 1926 under the name “The Wonder Theatre,” and was the dream of Michael Shea. Originally serving as a movie house under Paramount Pictures, it would later stage vaudeville shows and play host to Marx Brothers, Frank Sinatra, George Burns, and Bob Hope. Later in the 1970’s, to save the theater from demolition, a group was formed – The Friends of Buffalo Theatre. This not-for-profit worked to bring about a preliminary restoration and was responsible for getting Shea’s listed on the National Register for Historic Places. Over the past 20 years, there has been over $30 million in restoration completed at Shea’s, which allows Buffalo to keep the only surviving Tiffany designed theater in magnificent condition for patrons and the community.