Aerial view from Amsterdam Avenue looking east; visible is a new streetscape, gardens, and theater.
Rendering by Brooklyn Digital Foundry.
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It was about two years ago that Lincoln Center launched an initiative to make the Amsterdam Avenue side of its campus a bit more welcoming, and to “break down barriers, physical and otherwise, between Lincoln Center and local community and audiences.”
In March 2024, the performing arts organization announced it had hired designers for the job–Hood Design Studio, WEISS/MANFREDI, and Moody Nolan–who would soon “deliver a major revitalization, providing open space for New Yorkers and state-of-the-art performance areas for artists from across the globe.”
Now, Lincoln Center has released initial renderings of the campus in its future form, with construction set to begin next year.
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View from Amsterdam Avenue looking into Damrosch Park; visible is new streetscape. Rendering by Brooklyn Digital Foundry.
“The new design eliminates the visual and physical barrier wall at Damrosch Park to create a more welcoming edge to the campus, to better serve close neighbors including residents of New York City Housing Authority campuses at Amsterdam Houses and Addition, students of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, and the five high schools at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Educational Complex,” a press release states.
View of SE corner of Amsterdam Avenue and 65th Street looking at New York Public Library for the Performing Arts with seating area and mirror façade. Rendering by Brooklyn Digital Foundry.
Plans also include new park space and a new outdoor theater.
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The park will feature a lawn, tree groves, and a water feature. The space will be open for everyday use and will also equipped to host events and performances.
View of grove within Damrosch Park with shade and seating, looking east. Rendering by Brooklyn Digital Foundry
View from within Damrosch Park looking west; visible is new water feature, lawn, and trees. Rendering by Brooklyn Digital Foundry.
The new outdoor theater will have room to fit up to 2,000 people, will be surrounded by new landscaping, and will feature a bar and a shaded overlook with tiered seating. The design of the permanent structure will “bring audiences closer to performances and to allow for use of the park during shows,” the press release states.
View of amphitheater and audience area during performance looking southeast towards 62nd Street. Rendering by Brooklyn Digital Foundry.
Aerial view of amphitheater and audience area during performance, looking east. Rendering by Brooklyn Digital Foundry.
View of plaza area in front of amphitheater, looking northeast towards Josie Robertson Plaza. Rendering by Brooklyn Digital Foundry.
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The cost of this project will be about $335 million. About 65% of that funding is already in place, with major support from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation ($75 million), The Starr Foundation, and a $10 million contribution from New York State.
Lincoln Center says the project builds on recent efforts to make its campus more inclusive and accessible—like the renovation of David Geffen Hall and programming such as Summer for the City. They’re also planning a new NYCHA Neighbor Summer Pass to offer free performances to residents of nearby public housing.
The project is being developed alongside NYC Parks and the Department of Transportation. While Damrosch Park will stay a performance space, it’ll also gain new community features like shaded seating and misting areas for hot days.
More details are expected soon, including plans for lighting and art along the walkway that leads from Amsterdam Avenue to the 1 train.
Construction is slated to begin during spring 2026 and be complete by spring 2028.
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