The Delacorte Theater in Central Park, which has played host to the city's Shakespeare in the Park productions since opening, is getting a badly needed renovation. Public Theater, the arts organization running the popular summer programming, has announced an $110 million upgrade for the decaying amphitheater, to be led by Bjarke Ingels, the New York Times reports.

Over its 56 years, the theater has only seen minor upgrades and subsequently, is showing signs of aging. Revitalization of the 1,872 seat theater will focus on improving accessibility, expanding facilities, providing greater protection against outdoor elements, and increasing comfort and resources backstage. It is expected to complete in 2022.

The renovation is also seen as a way for the theater to extend its programming. The Public is consulting with BIG as well as climatologists to figure out how to make the theater more hospitable in different climates so that their season can run into the spring and fall.

The climatic requirements of the project was also cited as one of the reasons for selecting BIG. Oskar Eustis, the artistic director for the theater, told the Times,“In hiring Bjarke, I knew we were ruling out nothing in terms of what would be technologically possible." As of now, the Public has raised about $10 million of its own for the project and has asked the city for a total of about $45 million.

Conceived as a way to make theatre accessible to all, the Delacorte Theater officially opened in 1962 with a production of the Merchant of Venice and has since become a quintessential Central Park experience. "Our priority has always been and will always be to protect and honor our home, Central Park" said the Public in its announcement. "It is one of the most beautiful and democratic spaces in our city – the backdrop to every performance and an inspiration in our work."