SAN FRANCISCO, NEW YORK, MINNEAPOLIS - (April 5, 2010) The new Signature Center is currently under construction on 42nd Street in Manhattan. 
Auerbach Pollock Friedlander, Performing Arts/Media Facilities Planning and Design, is providing theatre and audio video systems consulting for the project in collaboration with the design architects, Gehry Partners, LLP 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. Signature Theatre Company was later released from the World Trade Center site and with the City began a series of test-fits throughout New York 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 one block from the company's current theatre and the interior fit out of the new Signature Center, designed by Gehry Partners, LLP will begin later this year.
Auerbach Pollock Friedlander began working with Signature Theatre and Gehry Partners, LLP 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.
All model photos provided by Gehry Partners, LLP.
Project Team:
Theatre and AV Consultant - Auerbach Pollock Friedlander
Owner - Signature Theatre Company
Design Architect - Gehry Partners, LLP
Architect of Record - H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture
Acoustics - Akustiks
MEP Engineer - ICOR
Structural Engineer - Rosenwasser Grossman
Interior Fit Out Contractor - Structuretone