Erin Lanahan 
The Loew’s Jersey Theatre in Jersey City is getting ready to reopen in 2026. The ornate theatre originally opened in Journal Square back in 1929, showing movies and hosting live shows. It was known for having a grand entrance with a sparkling chandelier and an intricate lobby. It went through ups and downs over the years, closing for a brief time then reopening after local restoration efforts. The most recent $130 million restoration project at 54 Journal Square Plaza is nearly complete and aims to bring live entertainment back to the historic theatre and boost the local economy in Journal Square. Read more to learn about the history of the Lowes’ Jersey Theatre in Jersey City and when it is expected to open in 2026.
Image courtesy of Loew’s Jersey Theatre
The History Of The Theatre
The theater architectural firm, Rapp + Rapp, designed and constructed The Lowe’s Jersey Theatre in 1927. The 3,000-seat movie palace opened in Jersey City in 1929. The theatre showed movies and hosted live entertainment shows. It was one of five “Lowe’s Wonder Theatres” built in the New York City area and the only one built outside New York City.
Throughout the years, the number of films it showed began to shrink. By 1974, the movie palace was converted into a tri-plex theatre.
The theatre finally closed in 1986 and was in danger of demolition. Weird enough, the last movie it showed in 1986 before it closed was Friday the 13th. The Friends of Lowe’s formed, aiming to save the theatre, and restoration efforts began in 1993 after it was purchased by Jersey City.
By 2001, the organization completed enough restoration work to partially open. In the following years, the theatre hosts live performances, events, and film screenings. It closed again in 2021 after Harris Blitzer Sports + Entertainment entered into a lease agreement with Jersey City to renovate, manage, and operate the theatre. In 2022, the theatre was officially designated a National Historic Landmark.
Read More: A Guide to Community Theater in Hoboken, Jersey City, + Beyond
The 2021 Restoration Project
The restoration project from Harris Blitzer Sports + Entertainment started in 2021 and aims to preserve its original character while bringing the theatre into the 21st century. The company plans to reopen the theatre in the Fall of 2026.
The entertainment company recently appointed Bruce Wheeler as General Manager of the Lowe’s Jersey Theatre. Wheeler brings decades of experience in the entertainment industry to the role with a decorated background in venue management and live event operations. He previously managed international touring efforts for Cage the Elephant, Jimmy Fallon, Rufus Wainwright, and many others. Bruce will oversee all day-to-day operations, event management, and venue readiness as restoration continues and the theatre preps for reopening.
Restoration efforts have been rehabilitating the theatre’s interiors and exteriors, modernizing mechanical and production infrastructure, and upgrading public and backstage areas. The space will host a wide variety of live entertainment and have a unique standing-room-only floor and flexible seating to accommodate 2,600 to 4,000 guests.
Image courtesy of Loew’s Jersey Theatre
Upon its expected opening in 2026, the theatre is expected to host around 150 events annually. The theatre is also planning to hold at least 70 dates for public programming, aiming to contribute to the cultural and economic revitalization of Journal Square.
See More: The Best Independent Movie Theaters in New Jersey
Follow @thehobokengirl on Instagram + TikTok for the latest Hoboken and Jersey City updates, sign up for our weekly newsletter here that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our events calendar, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse.
