Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation has partnered with renowned architect Sir David Adjaye to reimagine Restoration Plaza and Innovation Campus, its longtime home in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The plaza is located along Fulton Street between the Nostrand Avenue and Kingston-Throop Avenue subway stations.
If approved, the project includes a major expansion of Restoration’s cultural center and the Billie Holiday Theatre, new public open space, and two new office buildings.
Renderings of the new plaza show the Billie Holiday Theatre positioned between two mid-rise brick buildings. The new theater will feature a double-height lobby, arched windows, and a breezeway that extends through the structure. The building will also be surrounded by an expanded public plaza.
While less pronounced, the arch window motif is also present in both office buildings. One will have a more traditional red masonry façade, while the other will have a dark gray exterior. Both buildings incorporate a setback in their design, making room for outdoor terraces.
“The design of Innovation Campus taps into Bed-Stuy’s vibrant culture to create a place-based model to disrupt the racial wealth gap,” said David Adjaye. “Based on extensive community engagement sessions, the design scheme prioritizes the public realm and ensures dedicated space for collaboration between mission aligned partners.”
Evening view of the new Billie Holiday Theatre and public plaza – Courtesy of Adjaye Associates; Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation
Daytime view of the new Billie Holiday Theatre and public plaza – Courtesy of Adjaye Associates; Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation
Interior rendering of the new Billie Holiday Theatre – Courtesy of Adjaye Associates; Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation
When complete, a portion of the commercial space would be used for existing community programs including the Restoration Software Engineering Fellowship founded in partnership with The Marcy Lab School. Additional space will also be reserved to foster similar programs with private and non-profit partners invested in advancing skills training and job placement for local residents.
Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation has not confirmed a construction timeline for the expansion project.
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Guy is really making the arch cool again nothing but respect for him, think its great and different and love the unapologetic use of solidity – not everything needs to be glass
Not happy with the office buildings. Why no incorporate mix use housing will keep the hood vibrant. Too many empty offices building around the city. People still working at home.
So the solution is to get people back in the office, not to stop building offices.
Sir David’s favorite restaurant—McDonald’s. Sir David’s favorite city—St. Louis. Sir David’s favorite spot in Paris—L’Etoile.
Love the name, The Billie Holiday Theatre. Let’s hope it never gets renamed for some rich, morally dubious megadonor.