CURRENT PROJECT
58 Washington Square South - Center for Academic and Spiritual Life
NYU and the Archdiocese of New York have completed the long-discussed sale of the site of the former NYU Catholic Center. The site, on Washington Square South and Thompson Street, will be home to NYU's Center for Academic and Spiritual Life, which will include spaces for religious observance, offices for NYU's Chaplains' Circle, classes, music rehearsals, and conferences, and will include space for an ongoing Catholic presence. The creation of this Center will provide a communal home for our students' religious and spiritual lives, as well as furnish us with additional academic space in our core area.
The project architect is Machado and Silvetti Associates, LLC, a leading architecture and urban design firm known for distinctive spaces and unique works of architecture in the United States and abroad. As proposed, the structure will forego some 18,000 sq ft that could have been constructed as-of-right, and will be five stories shorter than it could have been as-of-right. In choosing to forego an as-of-right approach and shorten the building's height, the University will seek a variance through the City's Board of Standards and Appeals to modify lot coverage and front and height setback requirements. And, in keeping with NYU's sustainability efforts, the Green Action Plan, the Center will be constructed to LEED Silver standards.
These decisions are very much in keeping with the principles embraced in NYU's 2031 planning process and in our discourse with the local community.
NYU will be presenting this project to Community Board #2 in June and July. Feel free to contact the Office of Government and Community Affairs anytime with any questions.
Projected Schedule for Approvals and Construction (may change):
- May 2009 - NYU closes on property, acquires empty lot
- June 2009 - Application submitted to BSA. NYU introduces project at Community Board #2 Institutions Committee
- October 8, 2009 - Community Board #2 Zoning Committee reviews and votes on NYU application
- Fall - Winter 2009 - Construction commences
- Summer 2012 - Construction Completion