Signature Center New York, New York The new Signature Center is currently under construction on 42nd Street in Manhattan. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander, is providing theatre and audio-video systems consulting for the project in collaboration with the design architects, Gehry Partners and architect of record, H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture. Signature Theatre Company was one of the original companies slated to occupy the World Trade Center Performing Arts Center. After this project could not be funded, Signature Theatre Company was forced to look for another venue. With the lease on its current facility set to expire in 2011, Signature Theatre Company worked closely with the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and ultimately was given the opportunity to move to the second floor of a hotel and condominium tower being developed by the Related Companies (developer for Time Warner Building with Jazz at Lincoln Center). The 59-story high rise, designed by Arquitectonica, includes a 68,000 SF Cultural Amenity as part of the development agreement with the City. The building is currently under construction on West 42nd Street, just two blocks from the company’s current theatre and the interior fit out of the new Signature Center, designed by Gehry Partners will begin later this year. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander began working with Signature Theatre and Gehry Partners on the World Trade Center project in 2004. The firm continued to work with Signature Theatre as they explored alternative locations to develop Artistic Director James Houghton’s vision of a three-theatre facility to fulfill the company’s mission. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander consulted on a revised programming study, reviewed several site options and provided the initial concept plans for current facility. The new Signature Center will have three performance venues: the End Stage, a 299-seat theater; the Courtyard, a 199-seat flexible theatre; and the 199-seat Jewel Box theatre, the design of which recalls a traditional European opera house. The performance spaces are situated around a central lobby which includes a café and bookstore. Signature Theatre was founded in 1991 with a commitment to producing the work of a single playwright in each season. The resident theatre company will host its first season in the new facility in January of 2012. Owner: Signature Theatre Company Design Architect: Gehry Partners, LLP Architect of Record: H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture Acoustics Consultant: Akustiks Photography: Model photo provided by Gehry Partners, LLP Press Release Signature Theatre Company