With the goal of providing additional and enhanced spaces for its Athletics, Ecology and Arts programs within proximity of its core campus, Spence acquired a site and developed a plan to build a new, six-story athletic and ecology center on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The program called for a regulation sized gymnasium, training room, 9 squash courts, lockers rooms, teaching kitchen, student cafe, multi-purpose arts room, ecology classroom and greenhouse. The project involved the navigation of a series of complex public approvals and logistical challenges, as well as coordination with the community and ongoing communications with neighboring property owners.

Spence initially engaged Zubatkin Owner Representation, a Cumming Group Company, to oversee the project implementation strategy, select and onboard the project team, manage the design and construction, and provide financial controls, administration and reporting. The team also navigated the public approvals strategy, as well as advised on the neighbor and community relations.

As the project approached substantial completion, the athletic spaces were converted to classrooms to accommodate a temporary need for additional educational spaces due to the pandemic. The facility has since been reconverted to support the school’s athletics and ecology programs’ needs in the long term.

Architect:
Kliment Halsband Architects

Images courtesy of Albert Vecerka, Esto