Royal Opera House Plans $79-Million Modernization

LONDON —  The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden announced today it will apply next week for permission to begin a $79.7-million building program to modernize its famous building while retaining its 19th-Century charm.

The plan involves linking all levels of the structure for the first time and building an underground garage and and three-tier shopping halls with arcades that will link it architecturally with the colorful Covent Garden district over which it presides.

A press statement said the plan also calls for improving the on-stage and backstage facilities and making room for the headquarters of the Royal Ballet, which also performs in the building, but has had to house its offices in other quarters. The opera house will engage in a campaign to raise funds for the enterprise which will involve closing down the Royal Opera House for two years around 1990.