O n Monday, January 28, after eighteen months of construction, Dyson College joined the University Community in celebrating the official ribbon cutting marking the completion of major renovations to both 41 Park Row and One Pace Plaza on the New York City campus. A major goal of the work—Phase I of the University’s New York City Master Plan— was creating new student- and faculty-friendly spaces for both independent work and collaboration, and that result is evident everywhere. The revitalized spaces, with large windows and an open-concept format, will also serve to connect Pace to New York City and the local downtown community for years to come.

“The school had a complete glow-up,” said Emilio Tamez ’22, Modern Languages and Cultures. “This is the type of space I would expect a good school to have available for students.”

A gallery with a view

At 41 Park Row, the crown jewel of the revitalized space is the new 1,700-square-foot art gallery. It supports all media, and includes screens in the entry area of the building, and a projection wall in the lower level student lounge that displays digital photos and video. The gallery also will provide opportunities for students to learn the business of curating and running an art gallery.

Most notably, the ground-level, corner location, directly across from New York City Hall and City Hall Park, offers unprecedented exposure for students, faculty, and outside artists to show off their projects.

“The visibility is my favorite part—the gallery is an exciting new public face to Pace and the Art Department,” said Professor Jillian McDonald, department co-chairperson. “Our previous galleries were in a basement and on a staircase, and although we curated nonstop exhibitions, there were insurmountable accessibility issues.”

A fresh home for adjuncts, advisors

Today, the renovated basement level of 41 Park Row includes a new suite dedicated to adjunct faculty as well as a spacious lounge area for students. Upstairs on the second floor, a bright, comfortable lobby boasts views of City Hall Park, as well as meeting areas, and quiet places to study, meet, or relax. Students will also find the new Dyson advising suite. The inviting open design features large windows, glass walls, and natural light, and the suite is easily accessible from the building’s central access point. Officially named the Dyson Entrance, the main entry has moved—or returned—to Spruce Street, directly across from One Pace Plaza. The change restores the original building entrance from when 41 Park Row was home to The New York Times, and eases travel between two of the campuses main buildings.

“We have always wanted to convey how helpful we are to students, and now our environment matches our objective,” said Katie Olsen, associate director of advising. “We have increased our staff, we’re doing more direct outreach to students, and in turn we are seeing more of them.”

A more modern Pace Plaza

One Pace Plaza itself has also been updated, with a new student center awash in natural light and modern study pods. The entirely redesigned entrance has been improved for easier access, and both buildings now include modernized security features including automated turnstiles.

At the official ribbon cutting, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer commented that the space “opens up new possibilities for students and faculty to collaborate and for all New Yorkers to benefit.”

Dean Nira Herrmann echoed that sentiment: “We are thrilled with the new spaces in 41 Park Row that are enriching the lives of our students as well as the entire Pace community and surroundings,” she said. “The renovations have given our nineteenth-century building a new twenty-first century spark while preserving its historical foundation.”