NYU Doubles Presence in Brooklyn

By Corina Stef

Rendering of 370 Jay St., New York City

NYU Tandon School of Engineering’s Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP) has become the first tenant at the recently redeveloped, former New York Metropolitan Transit Authroity headquarters in Brooklyn. The school will occupy the first two floors of the building, located at 370 Jay St., doubling its presence in Brookyln. The building will be home to urban planners, engineers, video game developers, startups and computer scientists connected with the university.

The 13-story asset was built in 1951 and served as the headquarters of the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority until the early 1990s. The building stood vacant until NYU won a 99-year lease at the asset in 2012, as part of the city’s Applied Science NYC initiative.

The university then embarked on a capital improvement plan, as part of its announced $500 million investment in the Brooklyn area. Renovations include: 

• restoring the building’s original limestone and steel façade
• upgrades to the roof and windows
• sustainable furniture
• water-saving fixtures
• dedicated outdoor air system for heat recovery
• advanced metering and control system
• thermal ice storage
• high-efficiency boilers and heaters
• installation of a microturbine that allows the building to generate its own electricity.

The renovation is expected to be complete in 2019.

Amenity-filled academic environment

Upon completion, the asset will feature:

• media commons
• audio labs
• motion capture labs
• virtual reality rooms
• black box theaters
• MakerSpaces
• performance space
• exhibit hall
• workshop spaces
• classrooms

The other NYU programs to join the tenant roster will be the Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments, the Integrated Digital Media (IMA) program at the Tandon School of Engineering, the Media and Games Network (MAGNET), and three departments from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts: the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music; the Interactive Telecommunications/Interactive Media Arts programs (ITP & IMA); and the Center for Game Design.

“Having a central location in Downtown Brooklyn strengthens our ability to educate the next generation of data scientists and analytics experts who will improve our cities and daily life,” CUSP Director Steven Koonin said in a prepared statement. “Working alongside other NYU programs devoted to media, art and technology at 370 Jay St., will help bridge the gap between these disciplines and strengthen our ability to develop systematic, data-driven initiatives in response to urban challenges, encompassing homelessness, congestion, noise, public transportation and other quality of life issues.”

NYU’s physical presence in Brooklyn previously totaled 600,000 square feet. The 370 Jay St. project adds 500,000 square feet to its portfolio, doubling its presence in Brooklyn. The 370 Jay St. building is NYU’s largest building in Brooklyn.

In a recent deal, the NYU Langone Medical Center signed a lease to occupy an entire Manhattan office tower. 

Image courtesy of NYU Tandon