As the city of Hackensack, N.J., awaits final approval of its comprehensive rehabilitation plan, DMR Architects is progressing with other revitalization efforts within the downtown footprint. The firm is working with the city of Hackensack, N.J., to redevelop a specific area within the 163 acres in need of rehabilitation, the former Masonic Temple.
Constructed in 1870, the Masonic Temple was previously vacant, for sale, and in arrears. In 2010, Hackensack purchased the building and hired DMR to complete Phase 1 plans to convert the building into a cultural and performing arts center, and convert the adjacent parking lot into a public park with outdoor performance space to benefit the surrounding commercial and office spaces. The building is nearing completion of Phase 1 and will open as a cultural arts center. Phase 2 will see renovations of the second floor into a performing arts center
When conversion of the adjacent parking lot is completed, the park will provide performance areas for spring and summer concerts, shaded outdoor space for lunch hours, an intimate garden, and outdoor chess tables.
“DMR is proud of our work in Hackensack, and we look forward to revitalizing the city into a vibrant center for thousands of residents, employees, and visitors,” said Lloyd A. Rosenberg, AIA, president and CEO of DMR Architects. “The Cultural and Performing Arts Center and Atlantic Street Park will support surrounding businesses and act as a catalyst of revitalization for the downtown area.”
Related Stories
Cultural Facilities | Mar 8, 2016
The sexy side of universal design
What would it look like if achieving universal accessibility was an inspiring point of departure for a project's design process? Sasaki's Gina Ford focuses on Marina Plaza and the Cove, two key features of her firm's Chicago Riverwalk development.
Museums | Mar 3, 2016
How museums engage visitors in a digital age
Digital technologies are opening up new dimensions of the museum experience and turning passive audiences into active content generators, as Gensler's Marina Bianchi examines.
Cultural Facilities | Mar 1, 2016
China bans ‘weird’ public architecture, gated communities
Directs designers of public buildings to focus on functionality.
Contractors | Feb 25, 2016
Huntsville’s Botanical Garden starts work on new Guest Welcome Center
The 30,000-sf facility will feature three rental spaces of varying sizes.
The High Line | Feb 24, 2016
The last unused portion of the High Line is set to become a piazza
The piazza replaces an earlier design for the space that called for a bowl-shaped garden.
Museums | Feb 12, 2016
Construction begins on Foster + Partners’ Norton Museum of Art expansion project
The Florida museum is adding gallery space, an auditorium, great hall, and a 20,000-sf garden.
Game Changers | Feb 4, 2016
GAME CHANGERS: 6 projects that rewrite the rules of commercial design and construction
BD+C’s inaugural Game Changers report highlights today’s pacesetting projects, from a prefab high-rise in China to a breakthrough research lab in the Midwest.
Cultural Facilities | Jan 28, 2016
FIRST LOOK: Pikes Peak visitor complex will appear carved into the mountainside, at 14,115 feet
The minimalist structure will provide majestic views of the Rocky Mountains for the 600,000-plus people who visit the summit each year.
Architects | Jan 28, 2016
25-year-old architect wins competition for World War I memorial in Pershing Park
Joe Weishaar and sculptor Sabin Howard were selected from among five finalists and over 350 entries overall.
Architects | Jan 15, 2016
Best in Architecture: 18 projects named AIA Institute Honor Award winners
Morphosis' Perot Museum and Studio Gang's WMS Boathouse are among the projects to win AIA's highest honor for architecture.