The Drawing Center

35 Wooster Street | SoHo | built 1866

Open on the map3 entries

Written with AI from the source each entry cites, then fact-checked.

  1. 1866

    J. and W. Lyall commission a stone-and-iron store at 35-37 Wooster Street

    Construction began in 1866 on a store at 35-37 Wooster Street for J. and W. Lyall, designed by S. Curtiss Jr. It is a five-story, six-bay building drawing on French Renaissance sources, with a stone facade, an iron storefront divided by Corinthian columns, and iron supplied by the Nichol & Billerwell Iron Works. The building is part of the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District and now houses The Drawing Center.

    Source: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

  2. 2005

    September 28

    A Drawing Center plan for Ground Zero collapses amid a tabloid furor

    In 2005 the Drawing Center was weighing a move to the World Trade Center site, in a cultural building planned around the International Freedom Center. On June 24 the Daily News ran an editorial and banner headline calling the plan a "9/11 outrage," pointing to political art the center had shown. On August 12 the New York Times said it had been all but shown the door, and when Governor Pataki withdrew his support on September 28 the plan ended.

    Source: haberarts.com

  3. 2012

    November

    After failed moves to Ground Zero and the Seaport, the Drawing Center rebuilds in place

    The Drawing Center spent eight years hunting for a new building, first at the World Trade Center site and then near South Street Seaport, before deciding to stay at 35 Wooster Street. It closed in July 2011 and reopened in November 2012 after a $10 million gut renovation by Claire Weisz of WXY, gaining 50 percent more gallery space. Staying put spared it roughly $55 million in construction costs.

    Source: interiordesign.net

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