Brooklyn Academy of Music - BAM Fisher Building

Founded in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn in 1861, The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) has spurred the creation of the BAM Cultural District, a New York City initiative to create a hub of visual and performing arts activity in Downtown Brooklyn. The BAM Fisher Building is located directly adjacent to the historic BAM Opera House on a site formerly occupied by the Salvation Army. The new building builds upon BAM’s foothold as a progressive performance and cinema center by increasing the organizations capacity and venue options.

Jonathan Rose Companies provided real estate advisory, owner’s representative and accounting services to BAM in support of its goal of creating an inspiring 250-seat flexible performance space, rehearsal studio, classroom, workshop and office space for the education department and performing arts staff. Because of its status in a landmarked district, the façade of the existing building that houses the BAM Fisher Building was maintained and restored. A portion of the interior was reused, with new construction occurring behind and above, to accommodate the new program.

With the support of the Department of Cultural Affairs and the City of New York, the BAM Fisher Building offers an affordable venue for hosting performances by emerging and cutting-edge talent, community events, and educational programs. Accessible to an eclectic group of constituents, the new building facilitates community partnerships and engage the flow of people and ideas in a vibrant space.

Designed to achieve LEED Silver and meet Local Law 86 for energy efficiency in design, the building’s sustainable features include: no- or low-volatile organic compound materials, use of day-lighting and sun shades, storm water collection and re-use, energy efficient mechanical and lighting systems, building management systems, and a green roof.