If you’ve ever walked past the towering walls on the west side of Lincoln Center, you know it hasn’t always felt like the most inviting space. But that is officially changing.
Lincoln Center just broke ground on a massive, transformative redesign of its West Side campus.
The project is designed to tear down the old physical barriers along Amsterdam Avenue and create a completely open, welcoming urban oasis for all New Yorkers.
A brand-new outdoor amphitheater and lush gardens
The absolute highlight of this project is The Baron Theater, a brand-new, state-of-the-art outdoor amphitheater.
It will have seating for up to 2,000 people and will be the ultimate spot to catch world-class dance, theater, and music.
This theater will be nestled right inside the new Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Gardens at Damrosch Park.
You can expect to find massive groves of trees offering serious shade, gorgeous flowering gardens, and plenty of space to just sit and relax.
In fact, the new design includes 50% more trees than the current park.
It will also feature The Starr Foundation Fountain, an interactive water feature animated by mist and water jets that will be perfect for cooling off on hot summer days.
Built with the community in mind
The new layout features accessible pathways, inclusive design for visitors with disabilities, and a completely open layout that connects straight to the surrounding neighborhoods.
Lincoln Center is also promising a robust lineup of free programming and performances once the space is finished, ensuring the arts remain accessible to absolutely everyone.
The ambitious redesign was even shaped by direct input from thousands of community members to ensure it actually serves the people who live here.
While we have to wait a little bit to enjoy the new space, the countdown is officially on. The new SNF Gardens and The Baron Theater are scheduled to open in Summer 2028.
In the meantime, you can check out “The Future We Create,” a beautiful new mural created with local residents that is currently wrapping the construction fencing along 62nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue.
