Poets House
Project: A new permanent home for Poets House
Project Location: Battery Park City, New York, NY
Project Cost: $8 million (hard and soft costs)
Architect: Louise Braverman, Architect
Client Profile: Poets House is a national poetry library and literary center that invites poets and the public to step into the living tradition of poetry. Founded in 1985 by poet Stanley Kunitz and arts administrator Elizabeth Kray, Poets House is a home for all who read
and write poetry.
From 1990 to 2007 Poet’s House was located at 72 Spring Street in Soho, but rent increases eventually made that location impractical. Poets House was designated by the Battery Park City Authority as a tenant in one of its new buildings where it will enjoy a rent-free lease through 2069.
Project Description: Construction of an 11,000 SF space on the ground and second floors of a new residential condominium building at Battery Park City overlooking the Hudson River and Statue of Liberty. The building’s developer provided “core-and-shell” work, and Poets House was responsible for completing the fit-out and equipping of the space. The space will incorporate a library, auditorium, children’s poetry room, multimedia listening room, exhibition space, and administrative offices. The project will achieve a LEED Gold certification for sustainable building.
Poets House will move in mid-2009.
Roles and Responsibilities: Denham Wolf serves as Real Estate Advisor and overall Project Manager. Services provided included:
> Serving as broker to secure interim office space for organization’s headquarters;
> Negotiation of lease terms and condominium documents with developer and landlord;
> Selection and coordination of project team;
> Oversight of design and construction;
> Management and administration of project funding (sources include NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, September 11th Fund, New York State Council on the Arts, and private funds).