Designed by John C. Portman, Jr., the Marquis Theatre is situated on the third floor of the Marriott Marquis Hotel.

The Marquis Theatre opened on Jul. 9, 1986 with a series of concerts by Shirley Bassey. The construction of the hotel resulted in the demolition of the original Helen Hayes Theatre, the Morosco Theatre, the Bijou Theatre, and remnants of the Astor Theatre and the Gaiety Theatre. However, the construction permit was only issued by New York City officials if Portman agreed to include a theatre within the building.