NYC Venue's $45M Makeover: Programming Goes Citywide

Symphony Space on Manhattan's Upper West Side will begin a 15-month closure at the end of this year for a $45 million renovation. The performing arts venue, known for events like its Bloomsday celebration, will see its theaters, lobby, and interior spaces completely updated. This extensive overhaul aims to address eccentricities and improve facilities, with a target reopening in 2028, coinciding with its 50th anniversary.

During the renovation, Symphony Space plans to maintain an active presence throughout New York City. Its programming will extend to all five boroughs via pop-up performances and partnerships with other organizations. This "show on the road" initiative is intended to attract a broader audience and reinforce its multidisciplinary, multigenerational, and multicultural identity.

The renovation will update both the Peter Jay Sharp and Leonard Nimoy Thalia theaters, enhancing acoustics and seating. The lobby will expand with the removal of the current steel doors, and new spaces for classrooms and galleries are planned. These improvements address the building's numerous long-standing issues, such as inadequate plumbing, climate control, and structural quirks stemming from its former life as an ice-skating rink.

The project, which began conceptualizing in 2019 before pandemic delays, has secured nearly $37 million of its $45 million budget. Funding comes from city and state grants, a significant anonymous donation, and foundation support. The goal is not only to renovate the physical space but also to invest in program innovation, ensuring a vibrant future for the venue upon its reopening.