Project History
Constructed in 1933 as a World War I memorial and community gathering place, the Worcester Memorial Auditorium once hosted sporting events, celebrations, and the performing arts. Over the years, the use of the auditorium shifted, eventually becoming the site of the Worcester Juvenile Court until the opening of a new courthouse in 2007.
Since then, the auditorium has remained mostly vacant aside from the occasional tour or special event, but it is still a vital part of Worcester’s cultural fabric.
Due to increased interest in restoring the building in recent years, the City of Worcester has entered into an exclusivity agreement with Boston-based Architectural Heritage Foundation (AHF) to pursue the redevelopment of the 165,000-square-foot venue.
The Commonwealth is supporting those efforts with a $25 million match commitment.
AHF is a nonprofit historic preservation and real estate development organization. It envisions a vibrant, multipurpose facility that blends historic preservation with modern amenities, making the Auditorium one of the most distinctive venues in the nation. Planned programming could range from concerts to comedy shows to weddings to conferences to emerging sectors such as esports tournaments, robotics competitions, and immersive exhibits. AHF seeks to return the Auditorium to its former status as a cornerstone of Worcester’s civic and cultural life while continuing to honor the veterans for whom it was originally built. For more information on AHF’s plan, please visit www.AHFboston.com
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Contact Information
Address
Economic Development
City Hall 4th Floor
455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Contact
Phone: 508-799-1400
Fax: 508-799-1406
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Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.