In 1977 the theater was designated a historic landmark by the New Orleans Landmark Commission and was put on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally a 4,000-seat theatre, the venue went under renovation to become a performing arts center, and was re-opened in 1980 with a reduced seating capacity of 2,736. The theater underwent a second major renovation in 2012, and was re-opened in 2013, and The National Trust for Historic Preservation recorded the venue as one of ten historic sites saved in 2013. The Saenger has hosted a variety of events, including concerts of many different genres, theater shows, and presentations.