Major expansion at Boston’s Huntington Theatre has begun

BOSTON, Oct. 20, 2026 — Boston’s flagship theatre The Huntington has begun construction of its much-anticipated East Wing expansion — a new soaring, modern venue alongside its historic location on Boston’s Avenue of the Arts — in the wake of a recently completed, multimillion-dollar financing package provided by Beacon Bank.

The centerpiece of this major milestone in the decades-long project is a $21,251,000 tax-exempt bond issued by MassDevelopment to support construction. The bond was underwritten and purchased by the bank, allowing the theatre to begin its renovations while adhering to the project’s planned timeline. The financing also included additional lending components totaling over $15 million to support the theatre’s long-term success.

“The Huntington’s expansion will help shape the future of Boston, creating spaces at one of Boston’s great cultural institutions where creativity, community and culture can thrive together,” said David L’Heureux, Division Head, Commercial Lending for Beacon Bank’s Boston region. “Our team, led by Senior Vice President Doug Dixon, worked closely with the theatre as its trusted partner to deliver a custom financing solution that matched the scale of its ambitions by leveraging the strength and resources of the Northeast’s premier, independent relationship bank.”

Expected to open in fall 2027, The Huntington’s East Wing is envisioned as a vibrant new cultural hub where art and community converge in a 14,000-square-foot space on the first two floors of the adjacent Toll Brothers residential tower that’s seamlessly connected to its adjacent, newly renovated historic mainstage home.

“Beacon Bank’s deep expertise and responsiveness allowed us to focus on what matters most: Expanding access to the arts and creating meaningful spaces for community connection and engagement,” said Chris Mannelli, executive director at The Huntington. “The bank took the time to understand not only the details of this project, but also the pivotal role The Huntington plays in the life of our community.”

The East Wing will offer fully accessible dynamic cultural and convening spaces visible from the street that are open to both theatre patrons and the public and provide programming beyond the bounds of its mainstage, strengthened by community conversation. In addition to featuring expansive lobbies, ticketing concierge, patron amenities and services, it will have flexible performance spaces, a bar/lounge/cafe, and an outdoor balcony overlooking Huntington Avenue.

“MassDevelopment is pleased to have issued a tax-exempt bond to support The Huntington’s East Wing expansion, as well as provide earlier support for this expansion through the Cultural Facilities Fund that we jointly administer with Mass Cultural Council,” said Navjeet Bal, MassDevelopment president and CEO. “We thank our project partners at Beacon Bank for purchasing the bond and making tax-exempt financing possible for this important project.”

The Huntington’s financing was provided by Beacon Bank’s Boston Institutional Banking Group, which focuses on the unique needs of institutional clients that help drive economic growth and strengthen communities. Through deep industry knowledge, customized financing solutions, and a relationship-focused approach, the team helps clients navigate complexity and capitalize on opportunity.