Educational Alliance is a non-profit organization that has been serving the community of the Lower East Side of New York for over 120 years. Initially, PBDW was approached to upgrade its elevator and stair. Upon further inspection, PBDW advised the organization to create a master plan that would improve the utility and overall organization of the two buildings on the site – 197 East Broadway and 179 Henry Street. Educational Alliance hired PBDW in 2000 to study, re-imagine, and transform the aging flagship facilities into a new, visionary environment.

This challenging project resulted in a fully renovated, multi-purpose building that celebrates the diversity of its constituents and organizes the various program elements into a cohesive whole. PBDW’s creative and holistic approach to this project reconciled its varying program elements by organizing them around a new circulation core. The program elements include: a commercial kosher kitchen, early childhood classrooms, a teen center and a senior center, seminar rooms for all adult and teen programs, art studios and gallery spaces, administrative offices for core staff, a gymnasium, and a rooftop playground. Other outstanding program elements include a 5,000 SF light-filled fitness center with group fitness studios, locker rooms with showers. The jewel of the project, located within a new roof-top addition, is a state-of-the-art, glass-enclosed 3,100 SF multipurpose event space flanked on two sides by a roof terrace with stunning views of the city and park beyond. This project is LEED-Silver®.