St. Ann’s Warehouse built its new home in the 1860 Tobacco Warehouse along Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO. Within this much beloved ruin-like brick building, the design celebrates contradiction with discrete yet unexpected materials of glass bricks, black steel and plywood. An overall discrete volume is inserted snugly into the walls on three sides, allowing the historic arched doors and varied windows to remain untouched. The fourth side is occupied by support spaces and community amenities which open onto an intimate triangular park within the warehouse’s walls. A broad circulation hall defines theater and community spaces, and offers flexibility to host events and expand.
The theater's new 25,500 square foot home is in the 1860 Tobacco Warehouse adjacent to Brooklyn Bridge Park. The state-of-the-art theater has gained international recognition for its ability to adapt in multiple configurations allowing for complete flexibility.
The glass brick volume glows at night, marking performances and events at St. Ann’s Warehouse.
The entry vestibule is accessed through the public Triangle Garden
The Triangle Garden, designed by Michael Van Valkenberg, is enclosed on all sides and provides a public place for gathering as well as a refuge from the windy waterfront.
A performance of Nice Fish, April 2016
Opening performance of Henry IV, October 2015
Light spills into the theater space through the glass brick clerestory.
View from the catwalk
The existing brick walls provide a rustic backdrop for the performance area.
The existing brick walls provide a rustic backdrop for the performance area.
The existing brick walls provide a rustic backdrop for the performance area.
Flexible presenting theater
There are three primary materials used in addition to the existing brick: plywood, concrete, and blackened steel.
The entry vestibule is a double height space to maintain views of the Brooklyn Bridge, where people historically posed for photos.
The lobby opens up to the garden on the waterfront side. This space can be used as a gathering space before a show as well as additional performance space.
current Drawings and documents
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Flexible Theater - The open warehouse space provides flexibility for different performance configurations.
Theater diagram - A catwalk was hung from the new steel structure that defined the theater space. The continuous catwalk provides complete flexibility for the new performance space.