Shubert Alley

is now occupied by the high-rise 50-story office tower, One Astor Plaza. The Shubert and Booth Theatres, which both opened in 1913, were owned by Lee and Jacob J. The alley is called the Shubert Alley because the Shuberts, who were then New York's most powerful theater owners and producers, had their offices overlooking it and rented the alley. They leased it from the Astor estate in 1912, in a decades-long-lease. In the early years the alley was lined with posters of Broadway shows that were playing, the Shuberts had their limousines parked there, and the alley had gates which were locked at night. It was also a gathering place for actors when shows were being cast. Unemployed and aspiring actors hoping for a part would line its western wall.