Location: Brooklyn, NY
Client: NYCEDC
Architect: Leeser Architecture
Photo Credit: Leeser Architecture
The renovation of the historic Strand Theater in Brooklyn’s BAM Cultural District, in Fort Greene has become the new home for BRIC Arts | Media House and UrbanGlass, non-profit organizations that presents Brooklyn-centric programs.
The $40 million project has expanded BRIC’s previous 19,000-square-foot space to 60,000 square feet, bringing the organization’s contemporary art, performing arts, and community media programs under one roof. The building includes three galleries with 8,000 square feet of exhibition space, a 250-seat performance space, a television recording studio, an artist performance/work space, a glass blowing facility, a retail space, a public lobby and classrooms.
This expansion required creating a large opening in the second floor slab and reframing of the floor structure which included relocating columns as well as adding girders and reinforcing the existing steel members. Balconies around the second level were added as well as a large staircase from the 1st floor to the cellar. Also the 4th floor mezzanine storage room was renovated to be used as office space. This required a massive structural overhaul.
Floor reinforcement was also provided to create support for new MEP equipment at the new UrbanGlass' facility.