Bouwerie Lane Theatre facts for kids
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Bouwerie Lane Theatre
(Bond Street Savings Bank) |
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 Bouwerie Lane Theatre
Location in Lower Manhattan
Bouwerie Lane Theatre
Location in New York
Bouwerie Lane Theatre
Location in the United States
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| Location | Manhattan, New York City, New York |
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| Built | 1874 |
| Architect | Henry Engelbert |
| Architectural style | French Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 80002671 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 23, 1980 |
The Bouwerie Lane Theatre is a historic building in Manhattan, New York City. It is located at 330 Bowery at Bond Street. This building is famous for being a bank first, and then becoming an Off-Broadway theatre. It is part of the NoHo Historic District, an area known for its beautiful old buildings.
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About the Building
The building was constructed between 1873 and 1874. It was designed by an architect named Henry Engelbert. He used the Italianate style, which was popular at the time. The building is special because it is made of cast-iron. This material allowed for detailed designs and large windows.
The building was originally built for the Atlantic Savings Bank. Before it was even finished, the bank changed its name to the Bond Street Savings Bank.
From Bank to Theatre
In 1879, the Bond Street Savings Bank faced problems and closed. The building was then sold to the German Exchange Bank. This bank served the many German immigrant families living in the area.
For many years before the 1960s, the building was used to store fabrics. But in 1963, something exciting happened! A person named Honey Waldman decided to turn the old bank into a theatre. She produced several plays there. From 1974 to 2006, the Bouwerie Lane Theatre was home to the Jean Cocteau Repertory Theatre. This group performed many classic plays.
Famous Shows
Many different plays and musicals have been performed at the Bouwerie Lane Theatre. Some of the first shows included The Immoralist in 1963, which starred Frank Langella. Another popular show was Dames at Sea in 1968. Later, plays like Night and Day by Tom Stoppard were staged in 2000. In 2003, they performed Brecht's The Threepenny Opera. The very last show by the Cocteau Repertory was Jean Genet's The Maids X 2 in 2006.
A New Chapter
In 2007, a person named Adam Gordon bought the building. He planned to turn it into a large private home, almost like a mansion. His plans included adding a climbing wall inside! The front part of the building, facing Bowery street, was planned for shops.
Important Recognition
The Bouwerie Lane Theatre is a very important building in New York City. In 1967, it was named a New York City landmark. This means it is a special building that must be protected because of its history and design. Later, in 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important places across the entire United States. The AIA Guide to New York City even called it "One of the most sophisticated cast-iron buildings."
See also
In Spanish: Teatro Bouwerie Lane para niños
