The transformation of One Pace Plaza East is well underwayòòò½´«Ã½”and on track to open in Fall 2026.
Construction continues to progress steadily on this bold reimagining of our iconic building at the heart of the New York City Campus. The renovated lower floors will house contemporary classrooms, creative arts and collaboration spaces, and a new Performing Arts Center complete with a proscenium theater and dedicated support areas. At the center remains our signature gathering spaceòòò½´«Ã½”used by the entire Pace Community and the broader publicòòò½´«Ã½”now being revitalized for the next generation of events and performances.
Work is also moving forward on renovations to Mariaòòò½´«Ã½™s Tower, which will deliver updated, in-demand residential spaces for our students. Once completed, One Pace Plaza East will reflect not only Paceòòò½´«Ã½™s commitment to academic excellence and real-life learning, but also our drive to reduce carbon emissions and lead with purpose.
Watch this space for new renderings and project updates as we approach the finish line.
Building Features
Theater Venues
- Large Venue: This is a flexible 400-seat proscenium theater with a full-size stage and fly. It will showcase the full range of Paceòòò½´«Ã½™s theatrical productions, including those with large casts such as musical theater and dance.
- Medium Venue: This is a double-height, flexible, flat-floored, 230-seat black box theater. Its technical gallery, catwalks, and rearrangeable platforms and chairs will enable ongoing experimentation in performances and theatrical design.
- Small Venue: This is a double-height, flexible, flat-floored, 99-seat black box theater with a pipe grid and rearrangeable platforms and chairs. One wall of the theater can open up completely to extend the theater into the One Pace Plaza courtyard, encouraging new innovations in theatrical presentations.
Production Shops
- Scene/Prop/Paint Shop: This is a 3,600 SF space dedicated to constructing and painting all sets and props for the projectòòò½´«Ã½™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 projectòòò½´«Ã½™s three theater venues, with support spaces for laundry, dye/vat, spraying, distressing, and crafts.
Performing Arts Spaces
- Flexible rehearsal studios
- Dance rehearsal studios
- Drafting studio
- Digital design lab
- Screening room
- Sound stage
- Entertainment production design/light lab
- Vocal/Self-tape rooms
Creative and Educational Spaces
- Animation studio
- Film and Screen Studies sound stage
- Automated dialogue replacement (ADR) Studios
- Podcast studios
Key Design Teams
- FXCollaborative Architects
- LERA
- Kohler Ronan
- Theatre Projects
- Jaffe Holden
- Tillotson Design
- Steven Winter Associates
- NV5
- Romano Gatland
- Owneròòò½´«Ã½™s representative: DBI Projects
- Renderings: MOSO Studio
The One Pace Plaza East Renovations has a target completion/opening date of Fall 2026.
Artistic Renderings and Conceptual Sketches








Rendering depicting the cross-section view of the future One Pace Plaza East, showing the vertical relationship between program spaces across the east-west section of the building.
This rendering shows the east side of the courtyard, the facade of One Pace Plaza East, and the small performing arts venue that opens into the courtyard.
This is a double-height, flexible, flat-floored, 99-seat black box theater with a pipe grid and rearrangeable platforms and chairs. One wall of the theater can open up completely to extend the theater into the One Pace Plaza courtyard, encouraging new innovations in theatrical presentations.
Rendering of the medium performance space. This is a double-height, flexible, flat-floored, 230-seat black box theater. Its technical gallery, catwalks, and re-arrangeable platforms and chairs will enable ongoing experimentation in performances and theatrical design.
New flexible rehearsal and dance studios will also feature prominently in the new design.
Similar in design to the existing lobby on the west side of One Pace Plaza, this conceptual drawing shows what could be possible outside of the performing arts venue spaces.
The inclusion of more conversation spaces and gathering places for the campus community will be woven into the overall design of One Pace Plaza East. Additionally, more elevators between the floor will help improve ADA access to our new theater spaces.
This conceptual drawing of the cross-section of One Pace Plaza shows where the new performing arts venues will be located within the base of One Pace Plaza East.