Broward Center for the Performing Arts
| Address | 201 SW 5th Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312-7112 |
|---|---|
| Location | Sailboat Bend |
| Owner | Broward County |
| Operator | Performing Arts Center Authority |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Capacity | 2,658 (Au-Rene Theater) 584 (Amaturo Theater) 188-220 (Abdo New River Room) 220 (Porter Riverview Ballroom) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | February 26, 1991 |
| Renovated | 2014 |
| Architect | Benjamin Thompson and Associates |
| Tenants | |
| Broadway Across America Florida Grand Opera | |
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts, commonly known as the "Broward Center," is a multi-venue performing arts complex located in the Sailboat Bend neighborhood of downtown Fort Lauderdale, along the north bank of the New River. Opened in 1991 on a 5.5-acre (22,000 m2) site, the center is part of the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District and has contributed to the redevelopment of the city's downtown area.
Designed by architect Benjamin C. Thompson, the complex includes multiple theaters that host a variety of performances, including opera, ballet, concerts, plays, lectures, and community events. The Broward Center partners with several organizations, such as the Symphony of the Americas, Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet, the Concert Association of Florida, and Gold Coast Jazz. National touring Broadway productions are regularly presented in collaboration with Broadway Across America.
Located in the South Florida region, the Broward Center has been recognized as one of the most-visited theaters in the United States. In 2007, it was ranked fourth in the world by Venues Today and seventh worldwide by the concert industry publication Pollstar based on annual ticket sales.
As of 2011, the center reported attendance of over 700,000 patrons annually across more than 700 events. That same year, plans were announced for a major expansion project, scheduled to begin in spring 2012.