Mayor Bloomberg Commits $25 Million to New Home for Signature Theatre

In a ceremony held on December 22, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg joined with officials from Signature Theatre Company and Related Companies to announce a $60 million partnership, including a $25 million contribution from the city, to create a new home for the off-Broadway company. Signature expects to move into its Frank Gehry-designed Signature Center, part of a 59-story residential and hotel building now under construction by Related on 42nd Street and Tenth Avenue, in 2012.

“Signature Theatre Company is one of New York City’s most successful and fastest growing cultural groups, and its spectacular new home will allow it to continue to expand,” Mayor Bloomberg said in a statement. “The $25 million commitment, combined with a $35 million private investment, will result in a new, world-class performance venue in the heart of the city’s theater district.”

Signature has thus far raised $16 million for the project and plans to raise an additional $19 million. The company currently leases the Peter Norton Space a block west of its proposed performing arts center, which will include three intimate theaters, rehearsal studios, a café, bookstore and administrative offices. The new theater complex will allow Signature to more than double its audience, with anticipated attendance of more than 80,000. Founded in 1991, the company spotlights the work of one playwright a season and is currently presenting the sold-out Orphans’ Home Cycle of nine plays by Horton Foote.

Joining Mayor Bloomberg at the announcement, which took place on the construction site of the new complex, were City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin, Related Companies Executive Vice President Bruce A. Beal Jr., Signature’s 2010-11 Playwright-in-Residence Tony Kushner, Artistic Director James Houghton, Executive Director Erika Mallin and artists-in-residence Bill Irwin, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Hallie Foote, John Guare and Edward Albee.

The entire $800 million building will be constructed to LEED Silver standards. The complex will incorporate smart design measures and premium efficiency systems that will save over $800,000 of energy each year for its tenants and 1,800 anticipated residents. While Frank Gehry is designing the Signature Center, Arquitectonica and Ismael Leyva are designing the rest of the building.