flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Moise Safra Center completes in New York City

Cultural Facilities

Moise Safra Center completes in New York City

The project will act as a second home for the Jewish community it serves.


By David Malone, Associate Editor | March 1, 2021
Moise Safra Center stone fins exterior

All photos: James Ewing

The 65,000-sf, 14-story Moise Safra Center has opened in New York City’s Upper East Side. The PBDW Architects-designed building will act as a second home for the Jewish community it serves and unite a broad range of programming inclusive of both community center and religious functions.

At the center’s base is a double-height synagogue that is expressed on the exterior by multiple two-story, stone-clad fins that provide a sense of privacy while also bringing in eastern light. A smaller sanctuary space is located on floor above. Other religious spaces include a library/study and offices for the rabbinical staff.

 

Moise Safra Center exterior

 

Other building features include a wellness center and pool, a gymnasium that overlooks the cityscape, classrooms for teens, kitchen and hospitality areas, and flexible spaces that are adaptable for varying program needs. A banquet room takes advantage of the ninth floor setback by including a pre-funciton area with an outdoor terrace. A fully retractable glass wall allows events to seamlessly flow from inside to outside.

The project was completed in 2020.

 

Moise Safra Center dining terrace

 

Synagogue lobby space

 

Safra Center basketball court

 

Moise Safra swimming pool

Related Stories

Cultural Facilities | May 17, 2019

Mulva Cultural Center builds upon city's arts legacy

Former ConocoPhillips CEO and wife have donated millions for culture and education.

Cultural Facilities | Mar 25, 2019

The new Olympic House in Switzerland will reflect the international governing body’s values

The building, nestled in a large park, is striving to meet three different sustainability standards.

Libraries | Feb 10, 2019

New library branch in San Diego opens with its community’s learning and working traits in mind

It features larger gathering spaces and more technology than its predecessor.

Libraries | Jan 18, 2019

Chicago’s newest library branch preserves the old and ushers in the new

Its exterior design reflects the neighborhood’s industrial history, while its interior fosters community and shared learning.

Cultural Facilities | Oct 24, 2018

San Antonio approves redevelopment of Alamo Plaza

The San Antonio City Council voted 9-2 in favor of the makeover.

Cultural Facilities | Aug 10, 2018

Moviegoers are looking for an ‘intimate experience’

Comfort and service are keys to attracting repeat customers, says an expert whose firm specializes in cinema design.

Cultural Facilities | Jun 11, 2018

Risorgimento, Buffalo style

Further evidence of the positive impact of the cultural centers on neighborhood development and economic growth can be found in Buffalo, N.Y., where plans for the Italian Cultural Center are moving forward.

Cultural Facilities | Jun 11, 2018

Cultural centers: Community-based venues can be catalysts for downtown renewal

New cultural centers have sparked development in the form of new offices, restaurants, retail, hotels, business incubators, apartments, and arenas.

Cultural Facilities | Jun 2, 2018

Topping Off: Pikes Peak is getting a new Summit Complex

The 26,000-sf facility will be green, resilient, and emphasize the view rather than the architecture.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Adaptive Reuse

Detroit’s Michigan Central Station, centerpiece of innovation hub, opens

The recently opened Michigan Central Station in Detroit is the centerpiece of a 30-acre technology and cultural hub that will include development of urban transportation solutions. The six-year adaptive reuse project of the 640,000 sf historic station, created by the same architect as New York’s Grand Central Station, is the latest sign of a reinvigorating Detroit.


Museums

Connecticut’s Bruce Museum more than doubles its size with a 42,000-sf, three-floor addition

In Greenwich, Conn., the Bruce Museum, a multidisciplinary institution highlighting art, science, and history, has undergone a campus revitalization and expansion that more than doubles the museum’s size. Designed by EskewDumezRipple and built by Turner Construction, the project includes a 42,000-sf, three-floor addition as well as a comprehensive renovation of the 32,500-sf museum, which was originally built as a private home in the mid-19th century and expanded in the early 1990s. 



Cultural Facilities

Multipurpose sports facility will be first completed building at Obama Presidential Center

When it opens in late 2025, the Home Court will be the first completed space on the Obama Presidential Center campus in Chicago. Located on the southwest corner of the 19.3-acre Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, the Home Court will be the largest gathering space on the campus. Renderings recently have been released of the 45,000-sf multipurpose sports facility and events space designed by Moody Nolan.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021