Graham Dance Company Finds Its Permanent Home

The Martha Graham Dance Company, the oldest dance troupe in the United States, has secured a permanent home in New York City. This milestone arrives as the company celebrates its 100th anniversary. For years, the troupe struggled with scattered rehearsal spaces, often improvising in unsuitable locations.

A substantial $10 million project has transformed 21,000 square feet on the 11th floor of the Paramount Building in Times Square into the company's new central headquarters. This expansive new space accommodates the company's 17 dancers, approximately 500 students, staff, and crucial storage for costumes and archival materials.

This acquisition offers the company a fresh opportunity for reinvention, echoing founder Martha Graham's philosophy of constant evolution. The increased studio capacity is expected to facilitate an expansion of public offerings, including open rehearsals and performances, further solidifying its artistic legacy.

Historically, the company operated from various locations, including a Carnegie Hall studio and later a townhouse on the Upper East Side. Post-founder, the property was sold, leading to a period of instability, including a 10-year lease at Westbeth Artists Housing. Even there, the company faced challenges, including damage from Hurricane Sandy and insufficient space.

With the lease renewal at Westbeth uncertain in 2022, a dedicated fundraising campaign, supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, led to the discovery and renovation of the Paramount Building space. Architects transformed the former office warren into a functional, inspiring environment, even incorporating a studio designed to double as a performance theater.