One Pace Plaza East
Reimagining One Pace Plaza East for the Next Generation
Opening Fall 2026, the transformation of One Pace Plaza East marks a bold new chapter for Pace University and Downtown Manhattan. Located in the heart of our New York City Campus, this revitalized, energy efficient building will be a destination for learning, performance, innovation, and community.
Artistic Renderings and Conceptual Sketches
Renderings by Moso Studio.
A Dynamic Home for Education and the Arts
Designed for the next generation of leaders and creatives, One Pace Plaza East is more than a building—it's a purpose-built space for collaboration, creativity, and performance.
- State-of-the-art classrooms for 21st-century learning
- Vibrant creative arts and collaboration spaces
- A world-class Performing Arts Center, home to three venues including a reimagined 430-seat Schimmel Theater
- Revitalized, in-demand student housing in Maria’s Tower
This transformation supports Pace University’s mission to deliver an exceptional, hands-on education while also fostering connection and expression through the performing arts.
Building Features
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- Schimmel Theater: This is a flexible 430-seat proscenium theater with a full-size stage, fly, and state-of-the-art acoustic design. It will showcase the full range of Pace’s theatrical productions, including those with large casts such as musical theater and dance.
- Black box Theater: This is a double-height, flexible, 230-seat black box theater. Its technical gallery, catwalks, and rearrangeable platforms and chairs will enable ongoing experimentation in performances and theatrical design.
- Garden Theater: This is a double-height, flexible, 99-seat black box theater with a pipe grid and rearrangeable platforms and chairs. One wall of the theater partially opens to extend the theater into the One Pace Plaza courtyard, encouraging new innovations in theatrical presentations.
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- Scene/Prop/Paint Shop: This is a 3,600 SF space dedicated to constructing and painting all sets and props for the project’s three theater venues, with shop equipment, built-in strong points in the ceiling, and direct access to a new robust service elevator. The shop is supported by spaces for welding, upholstery, rigging, tool storage, materials storage, and prop storage.
- Costume Shop: This is a 3,300 SF space dedicated to the design and fabrication of all costumes for the project’s three theater venues, with support spaces for laundry, dye/vat, spraying, distressing, and crafts.
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- Flexible rehearsal studios
- Dance rehearsal studios
- Drafting studio
- Digital design lab
- Sound stage
- Entertainment production design/light lab
- Vocal/Self-tape rooms
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- Animation studio
- Film and Screen Studies sound stage
- Screening room
- Automated dialogue replacement (ADR) studio
- Podcast studios
Introducing a Premier Performing Arts Destination
At the core of this transformation is the new Performing Arts Center—a groundbreaking space that brings together students, faculty, artists, and the local community. The center features:
- A proscenium theater for major productions and large University events
- A flexible medium-sized venue for experimental work
- An indoor-outdoor black box theater that opens to a courtyard for immersive, site-specific performances
From rehearsals to world premieres, these venues will showcase the talent and training of Pace’s Sands College of Performing Arts, one of the nation’s top programs for aspiring professionals in theater, dance, and beyond.
One Pace Plaza East by the Numbers
Maria's Tower Residence
Maria’s Tower, one of Pace University’s oldest residence halls on the New York City Campus, has been offline for the past three years undergoing renovations as part of the One Pace Plaza East transformation. In Fall 2026, it will be back and better than ever.
Located within the main tower of One Pace Plaza East, Maria’s Tower will house approximately 500+ students across floors seven through eighteen, offering a true “live and learn” experience at the very center of Pace. With classrooms and student spaces just an elevator ride away, residents will enjoy the ultimate convenience of living and learning all in one place.
Built for Sustainability and Momentum
This major campus investment reflects Pace’s commitment to a sustainable, inclusive, and connected future. Through beneficial electrification and decarbonization strategies, the renovation is projected to reduce One Pace Plaza’s energy-related greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60 percent. Designed to achieve both LEED and WELL Gold certifications, the building embodies Pace’s dedication to environmental stewardship, community wellness, and vibrant engagement.
But the impact goes beyond architecture:
- LEED and WELL Gold certifications
- Better occupant health and well-being
- Reduced energy, water, waste, and greenhouse gas emissions
- Increased indoor air quality
- A 700-ton heat-pump plant providing fully electric heating and cooling
- Energy-efficient HVAC equipment and lighting
- Improved insulation, providing better occupant comfort
- Compliance with Local Law 97 greenhouse gas emissions limits—and the avoidance of significant fines
- Strengthened community partnerships, offering free and accessible events, talkbacks, workshops, and performances for local residents
- A dynamic hub for excellence, supporting academic innovation, artistic creativity, and meaningful student and community engagement
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- FXCollaborative Architects
- LERA
- Kohler Ronan
- Theatre Projects
- Jaffe Holden
- Tillotson Design
- Steven Winter Associates
- NV5
- Romano Gatland
- Owner’s representative: DBI Projects
- Renderings: MOSO Studio