Known as the “people’s performance space” since mayor Fiorello LaGuardia rescued this 1923 Moorish-style temple from the wrecking ball, City Center’s reinvigoration marks a powerful moment in New York’s Performing Arts heritage. At one time the home of the New York City Ballet and New York City Opera, City Center now presents a wide range of events and remains true to its promise to bring high-quality performance to New York City residents at reasonable prices.

FDA collaborated with Ennead Architects and New York City Center to restore and reconfigures the hall. More than just sightline improvement and a new seating plan, this renovation drastically changed the rake, row depth, and configuration of the seating as well as the geometry of the room. The result is that the hall, once cavernous and uncomfortable, is now intimate, warm, and accessible. The balconies were extended toward the stage, giving patrons a better connection to the dancers, actors and orchestras on stage. The lobbies and public spaces are greatly improved, with patron amenities, which are cleverly nestled into the building’s historic architecture, taking center stage at intermissions.