To create a new arts center for City College of New York, LHP combined two early 20th-century buildings designed by George Brown Post. Both structures were built of native Manhattan schist, with contrasting terra cotta ornament by sculptor Livingston Smith. Both are also New York City Landmarks and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, requiring sensitive treatment in that historic context.

LHP combined the two buildings into an H-shaped structure with three-stories and approximately 100,000 square feet of space. The design preserves a key feature: the arch-trusses of the former gymnasium on the third floor of Goethals Hall. This converted space is used for dance teaching and performance studios and houses New York City's largest Dance Notation Library.

A new enclosure of plain and ground-face concrete masonry and glass block masonry walls surrounds the original stairs and main circulation space. These walls are punctuated with sculptural symbolic stainless steel columns, helical patterned column enclosures, new stainless steel stairs, balustrades and railings, light posts, and galvanized finished steel wall coverings. LHP also installed new handling systems, electrical service, distribution systems, and lighting.

 

Publications:

  • Pomeroy Associates to Design Art & Dance Center for City College; Building Stone Magazine

  • City College Plans $80.5M Renovation of Five Halls; New York Construction News; 

  • Pomeroy to Design Art Center; Real Estate Weekly