NBPAC Breaks Ground on $172M Theater Development Project

On Oct 4, 2017

The City of New Brunswick and New Brunswick Development Corporation (DEVCO) broke ground on the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) project, a $172 million redevelopment initiative that will transform New Brunswick’s Downtown Cultural Arts District.

The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center is a public-private partnership among DEVCO, the City of New Brunswick, Rutgers University, Middlesex County, New Jersey Economic Development Authority, New Brunswick Cultural Center, Pennrose, LLC, and New Brunswick Parking Authority, along with 11 other groups and organizations. The groundbreaking was attended by community leaders, local and state officials including New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill, Rutgers University President Dr. Robert L. Barchi, New Jersey State Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney, Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios, and DEVCO President Christopher J. Paladino.

The NBPAC initiative, a 450,000 square foot project which will be located on the site of the former George Street Playhouse and Crossroads Theater on Livingston Avenue in downtown New Brunswick, will continue to distinguish New Brunswick as a premier center for the performing arts.

“The City of New Brunswick and its partner in redevelopment, DEVCO, will soon be ushering in a new era for our Cultural Center with the construction of these transformative facilities, further bolstering New Brunswick’s legacy as a place where the arts grow and thrive,” said Mayor Jim Cahill. “The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center is an example of DEVCO and our City’s expertise in leveraging public-private partnerships for maximum benefit to our community as we further our commitment to the arts, housing, economic development, education and job creation. We are excited to join and thank all our partners who have played an integral role in beginning this next chapter of history for our Cultural Center with this innovative and far-reaching project.”

The innovative redevelopment project, which is expected to open its doors to the public in 2019, will be home to George Street Playhouse, Crossroads Theatre Company, American Repertory Ballet, and Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. NBPAC will attract and support arts professionals and organizations, sparking creativity and innovation across New Brunswick’s arts community.

“I would like to thank President Barchi, Senate President Sweeney, Governor Christie, Freeholder Director Rios, NJEDA, Pennrose, the entire New Brunswick cultural arts community, and our other financial partners for being a part of this cutting-edge urban initiative that will be transformational for New Brunswick,” said Christopher J. Paladino, President of DEVCO. “DEVCO is proud to be part of New Brunswick’s vibrant arts and cultural community through this groundbreaking redevelopment project and look forward to experiencing the wide-range of benefits it will provide to our city in the near future.”

The new theater complex will include two state-of-the-art, proscenium-style theaters, designed to accommodate musical theater, dance, opera, and dramatic theater. The Lyric Theatre, which will seat 462 patrons, will feature an 86-foot stage, a 75-foot fly tower and a trap system, with an orchestra pit that will be able to accommodate 60-70 musicians. The playhouse, designed primarily for theatrical performances and smaller dancer performances, will have 252 seats and will feature a 60-foot stage and contemporary grid system for lighting and sound and will provide the NBPAC with additional flexibility for lecture, community, and musical events to be accommodated.

The new theater complex will include two state-of-the-art, proscenium-style theaters, designed to accommodate musical theater, dance, opera, and dramatic theater. The Lyric Theatre, which will seat 462 patrons, will feature an 86-foot stage, a 75-foot fly tower and a trap system, with an orchestra pit that will be able to accommodate 60-70 musicians. The playhouse, designed primarily for theatrical performances and smaller dancer performances, will have 252 seats and will feature a 60-foot stage and contemporary grid system for lighting and sound and will provide the NBPAC with additional flexibility for lecture, community, and musical events to be accommodated.

In addition to the two theaters, the main building will also contain three rehearsal studios which will replicate the stage spaces of the two theaters inside the complex, helping maximize the use of the theater venues by providing access to rehearsal time off the main and second stages. Each studio will be designed to support dance, drama, music rehearsals, general classes, workshops and small public performances. 30,000 feet of office space will be located on two floors above the theater complex and will be owned by the County of Middlesex intended to be used by arts organizations and potential private sector groups.

“This is an extraordinary example of public-private partnership and a resource that will offer so much for students, artists, theatergoers, local businesses, the city, and the region,” said Robert Barchi, president of Rutgers University. “Rutgers is excited to be part of NBPAC, and we can’t wait to have our students learn and perform here.”

Additionally, a 207-unit residential rental apartment tower will rise above the theater complex, featuring both market rate and affordable luxury apartment units, equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and finishes, 10-foot ceilings, and open floor plans. It will be owned and operated by Pennrose, LLC. Pennrose combines expertise in creating real estate developments of distinction with professional management services to create exceptional lifestyle communities. The residential tower will also provide residents with access to a wide range of amenities, including an outdoor roof deck, a demonstration kitchen, work space, and a full fitness center. The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center development team anticipates partnering with The Actors Fund to market the new luxury units to graphic artists, actors, musicians, dancers and theater support personnel. A 344-space structured parking garage will also be developed on a former surface parking lot as part of the redevelopment project.

“This project is a great example of what the public and private sectors can do when we work together toward a common goal of investing in our communities in ways that create jobs and promote economic activity,” said New Jersey State Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney. “The partnership of the State of New Jersey, New Brunswick, Rutgers University and DEVCO has helped to transform the city and the region. Arts and entertainment can be important components of a multi-dimensional approach to economic development because they contribute to the economy with construction and permanent jobs and as attractions for commercial activity,” he added.

NBPAC will not only enhance the arts community throughout New Brunswick, but the project will also provide significant economic benefits to the local community. With the creation of the two new theaters, which will attract larger productions and accommodate more shows, the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center estimates that more than 120 full-time equivalent jobs will become available when the facility opens, representing more than a 25 percent increase in the total number of individuals employed across New Brunswick’s nonprofit arts and culture organizations. Furthermore, the amount of money spent by nonprofit arts and culture organizations, as well as their audiences, is expected to increase with the addition of NBPAC, driving growth in revenue for local businesses and merchants.

“Middlesex County is a place that truly values and invests in our arts community, and that is why we are so very proud of our contributions to the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center,” said Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios. “This project will help my fellow Freeholders and I reach our goals of giving our residents opportunities to learn, to perform and to enjoy the arts in all its forms, and to boost economic development by making Middlesex County a destination for people from all over the Northeast Region to come for top quality arts and cultural programs and performances. I thank all our partners, especially the New Brunswick Cultural Center, the City of New Brunswick, the State EDA and DEVCO for sharing our commitment,” said Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios.

“Rutgers-New Brunswick and our Mason Gross School of the Arts look forward to partnering with NBPAC, which will contribute to our students’ education, our neighbors’ cultural enrichment, and the region’s economy,” Rutgers University-New Brunswick Chancellor Debasish “Deba” Dutta said.

“New Brunswick has long been a national model for public-private partnerships. With the 19 partners for this project, this clearly represents one of the largest public-private partnerships in the history of New Jersey,” Paladino added. “NBPAC has the potential to bring true transformational change to the city, the region, and the State of New Jersey.”

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