Lincoln Center breaks ground on accessible performance park, anchored by new amphitheater
Aerial view from Amsterdam Avenue, looking east. All renderings by Brooklyn Digital Foundry.
Lincoln Center on Monday broke ground on a $335 million project that will transform the campus into an accessible performance arts park. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Lincoln Center West Initiative reimagines the Amsterdam Avenue side of the campus by removing the wall at Damrosch Park and replacing it with a more welcoming edge that connects to the rest of the institution. The redeveloped Damrosch Park will be centered around the Baron Theater, a 2,000-person outdoor venue that will be Lincoln Center’s first new freestanding theater in 50 years, and an inviting open plaza surrounded by gardens, groves, and a new water feature. The opening is scheduled for summer 2028.
Designed by Hood Design Studio, Weiss/Manfredi, and Moody Nolan, the project transforms the west side of the campus by eliminating the wall at Damrosch Park that stands five feet tall at 62nd Street and rises to 20 feet tall at 65th Street. Unlike the east side of the campus, home to Josie Robertson Plaza, the west side has no direct access to Lincoln Center, physically blocking residents of neighboring NYCHA developments and students from nearby schools.
“The arts shape the character and vitality of cities, and we are committed to contributing to a more expansive and inclusive future for all New Yorkers. The west side of Lincoln Center’s campus has, for too long, sent a message of exclusion—but today, we are proud to break ground on a project that will change that,” Mariko Silver, president and CEO of Lincoln Center, said.
“No matter where you enter the campus, you will be greeted with the sense of open welcome and possibility that arts and culture should offer for all. The construction around us today is temporary. The invitation to join us here on this incredible campus is permanent.”
The new design includes several upgrades around the west side entrance, including improvements to sidewalks and the bus waiting area, and an increase in greenery, shade, benches, and lighting.
The new Baron Theater will be integrated into the new performance gardens, which will be renamed the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Gardens. The green spaces will boast flowering trees and a twisting bench with seating facing Amsterdam Avenue and the theater.
The Starr Foundation Fountain will include a water feature with mist and water jets for relaxation and play.
The Baron Theater will face an inviting and open plaza for an audience of roughly 2,000 people. The state-of-the-art amphitheater will host free performances. When the seating is not set for shows, the John and Susan Hess Family Plaza can still serve as a community gathering space, with flexible seating and room for other small-scale programming.
“We’re thrilled to design Lincoln Center’s first freestanding theater in over 50 years; a theater in the park. This groundbreaking milestone signals a renewed commitment to bring music and performance into the heart of the community,” Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi said in a statement.
“The Baron Theater and its plaza are designed as an open invitation to gather, connect, and experience art. The silhouette of the theatre’s gently vaulted roof, paired with the sweeping arc of the trellis and tiered steps frame a welcoming setting for informal gatherings and the world-class productions for which Lincoln Center is renowned.”
Lincoln Center first announced plans to open up the Amsterdam Avenue edge of campus in 2023 and soon after launched a participatory planning process to engage with local residents. More than 7,000 individuals shared their ideas through pop-up events, online surveys, and focus groups. Construction is expected to wrap up in two years.
“Lincoln Center is one of the world’s premier cultural destinations, and this project will ensure it remains a place where every New Yorker feels welcome,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said.
“By investing in this transformative redevelopment, we’re opening up world-class arts and performance spaces to the surrounding community, creating new opportunities for free programming, and ensuring that the next generation of New Yorkers can experience the power of the arts right in their own neighborhood.”
The annual Summer for the City festival returns to Lincoln Center starting June 10 through August 8, offering hundreds of free and choose-what-you-pay events.
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