With his long career in real estate development throughout New York City, it’s difficult to name the greatest contribution of developer James Stuckey. But the New Amsterdam Theatre stands out as one of his favorites. The theatre was built in 1902 and served as the setting for countless productions during the early part of the 20th century. When the Great Depression hit, the theater fell on hard times and eventually closed its doors. Time and nearly a half century of abandonment meant the theater was nearly crumbling. Enter James Stuckey.<br /><br />With his experience as a real estate developer, James Stuckey was tasked with restoring the building to its former glory. As a long time resident of New York City, James Stuckey knew what the New Amsterdam Theatre meant to the city and how important it was to its community. Through hard work and a forward-thinking approach, James Stuckey and his team successfully restored the theatre to its former glory, and it reopened on April 2, 1997. To the delight of James Stuckey, the building soon began hosting major productions, including Disney’s The Lion King. <br /><br />The career of James Stuckey as a real estate developer in New York City is notable. He has overseen the construction and restoration of countless buildings. As well, James Stuckey had the distinction of serving as the divisional dean of NYU’s Schack Institute of Real Estate. James Stuckey has also served at the Dean of NYU’s Schack Institute of Real Estate and served under Mayor Edward Koch as the President of the New York City Public Development Corporation.