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Building News: SOLD!Lycée Completes Sale of Buildings; Plans Move to New Building September ‘03Natalie Yates Cacciato '78New York Alumni on the New York City real estate grapevine got word slightly before news appeared in the “New York Post” on August 8, 2002 that the “Jewels in the Crown” (the Lycée’s landmarked buildings at 72nd Street) had finally been sold-- completing liquidation of the portfolio of six townhouses. In a climate of falling stock prices and a deteriorating market for luxury real estate, the sale of the buildings ended the first step of a multi-year effort by the School’s Board of Trustees to make the Lycée competitive with other New York City private schools. For some in our community, reality set in that the elegant townhouses-- where, for over 65 years, students had been taught in the classical French tradition-- would no longer represent our institution but be replaced by a modern structure on a single campus. For others, the sale meant finally throwing off snobbish attitudes of a bygone era and the complexities of managing one school in six buildings designed as luxury residences rather than places of education and extracurricular activities for students in the wired world. First publicly announced in the “New York Times” almost exactly two years before (August 12, 2002-- see “In the Press.”), New York press seized on the cachet of the high profile sale of the buildings. Articles on the Lycée appeared in several publications. On November 21, 2002, the Lycée held an “Architect’s Project Ceremony” at the headquarters of TIAA-CREF to bring the Lycée community up to date on the new building construction project. James Polshek, of the firm Polshek Partnership, architects for the Lycée’s new building, gave a slide presentation in which he described the rich history and tradition of architecture in France, juxtaposing classical and modern, beaux-arts and avant-garde, from which the architects have drawn their inspiration for the new Lycée. Susan Rodriguez, lead architect on the project, gave a thorough overview of the building and its design, featuring sun-filled classrooms, bright colors to distinguish age groups, auditorium, cafeteria, art, music and sports facilities, and a grassy courtyard. Ms. Rodriguez showed slides of the construction which is already under way at East 76th Street. Additional commentary on the plans and appropriateness of the new space were provided by Proviseur Yves Thézé and by Chair of the Board of Trustees Elsa Berry ’74, who emphasized the excitement of the first new building for a New York City private school in many decades-- custom-designed and engineered to meet the Lycée’s needs. The event was attended primarily by parents, who asked questions about programs and logistics and wanted to know details of the transition to the new building in time for the opening of this coming academic year in September 2003. Representatives of your Alumni Council also attended. The event came on the heels of the Lycée’s successful bond sale earlier in the month, issued by New York City’s Industrial Development Authority and underwritten by JPMorganChase. The proceeds from the bonds will help fund costs of the Lycée’s building project not covered by the proceeds from the sale of the original buildings. The success of the issue, led by Treasurer Robert Pine (also father of Olivia Pine ’99), means that the school is able to finance the project at very attractive interest rates. Is every bold project controversial? Readers will recall that Mr. Polshek and Ms. Rodriguez were interviewed in depth about the building project in 2001 for Bulletin de Liaison No. 17 by architect and author Kriti Siderakis ’78 who expressed her admiration for the plans for the Lycée. This past December, an article in the “New York Times” described the new home for the Lycée as “a design inspired by Descartes”. While, it is always bittersweet to close the door on a part of our lives, the AALFNY, Inc. wishes the Lycée a smooth transition to its new home as it seeks to continue a tradition of educational excellence. Readers are invited to follow the project and its developments using the links provided. Please note that the AALFNY is not responsible for content or accuracy of third party websites, and some news sites may require subscription or payment to view content. Please send your comments to: letters@lfnyalumni.org |
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