Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Checking in on the Swiss Institute, coming next spring to 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place



Nearly a year has passed since the news arrived that the Swiss Institute, a non-profit cultural center, was moving to the Icon Realty-owned 130 Second Ave. at St. Mark's Place.

There hasn't been much activity at the former Chase branch (except for the daily switch in wheatpaste ads on the plywood) ... until this past week, when some interior gutting commenced... (coinciding with the work-permit approval earlier this month) ...


[Photo last week by Lola Sáenz]

The original announcement said they open in the spring of 2017. That opening date is now the spring of 2018.

Here's more about what to expect via the Institute's website:

In Spring 2018, Swiss Institute looks forward to relocating to a new long-term home in New York City’s East Village, moving into a building at the corner of St. Marks Place and Second Avenue. Swiss Institute has hired Selldorf Architects to oversee the transformation of the new building. The 7,500 square foot space features four levels – basement, ground floor, second floor and roof.

The design for the building will create spaces for exhibitions, projects and public programs, a library, a bookstore, and a rooftop garden. SI’s new home is located within half a mile of several prominent cultural and educational institutions including Anthology Film Archives, Cooper Union, Danspace Project, ICP, La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, New Museum, New York University, The Poetry Project, and The Public Theater.

THE MOVE TO ST. MARKS WILL ENABLE SI TO:
– Stengthen & expand its core mission of promoting forward thinking and experimental art- now in an architecturally significant and expanded space.
– Act as a cultural catalyst to partner and engage with a dense network of cultural and educational institutions in a demographically diverse community.
– Significantly grow attendance to exhibitions and public programs though increased prominence and visibility.



There's a benefit for the new space, officially going as 38 St. Mark's Place, in November. (Benefactor tickets are $1,200 each.) Details here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Swiss Institute moving into the former Chase branch on 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place
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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 30, 2017 at 6:21 PM

    I'm thrilled this building will be an art institution and not another chain retail store. As much as I resent Icon the building will be restored and used fully for something cultural.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 31, 2017 at 2:42 PM

    I wonder how much Icon Realty is to blame for a delay in construction. Stop work orders, not paying contractors, complications from initiating lawsuits in order to force rent stabilized tenants out.

    Why is it that every building that Icon is renovating takes YEARS to complete?

    ReplyDelete

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