SAG HARBOR, NY — The Bay Street Theater will soon see a new chapter unfold: The theater announced Friday that plans are in place for its first “purpose-built home.”
The facility will feature multiple theaters and spaces for the development of new work, special educational facilities and outdoor performances and public space, a release said.
The theater's new home will be built on a newly acquired site at the entrance to Sag Harbor that operates continuously with John Steinbeck Waterfront Park, “transforming what is currently a commercial space into a community resource,” the release said.
According to Douglas Elliman, Bay Street Theater was the buyer of The Water Street Shops in Sag Harbor. Enzo Morabito and Adam Rothman of Douglas Elliman represented the property. the property closed “very close” to the last question; the property was listed for $13.9 million.
The 0.67-acre mixed-use property overlooks Sag Harbor Cove and is located at 22 Long Island Avenue / 22 West Water Street. The property currently includes an approximately 1950, 15,000-plus square foot commercial building with eight retail units , four office suites and a total of 30 parking spaces. The parcel is currently home to 7-Eleven, Sing City and Water Street Wine & Spirits, the Douglas Elliman listing said.
The sale marks the dawn of a new day for the iconic theater.
“Now in its 30th year, the nonprofit professional theater is one of Long Island's premier performing arts organizations and has a long history of developing and premiering acclaimed works that have moved to Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theaters across the country. ” said the release for the Bay Street Theatre's new home.
Bay Street Theater has also served as an educational and cultural “catalyst” for the East End, growing its arts education programs to serve thousands of students each year and partnering with more than 30 local nonprofits annually, spokespeople said.
Friends of Bay Street & Sag Harbor Redevelopment, a separate nonprofit organization, has been formed to oversee development of the site, including land acquisition, financing, fundraising and planning. Friends of Bay Street will work in conjunction with the nonprofit theater and its board of directors to create the multi-theater complex, the release said.
Bay Street Theater representatives said that by building its own venue, the theater is responding to growing demand for the cultural, educational and economic resources it provides to people living and visiting the area and by expanding its home for a local community and visiting artists. .
Friends of Bay Street leadership is currently working with the owners of the small businesses currently on the parcel to help them relocate to new locations within the city, the release said.
“Creating a permanent home for Bay Street has long been a goal for all of us at the organization, and I am thrilled that, together with the Friends of Bay Street, we can build on the work of our visionary founders Sybil Christopher, Emma Walton Hamilton and Stephen Hamilton, to make this dream come true,” said Tracy Mitchell, executive director of Bay Street Theatre. “I am incredibly grateful to Bay Street Theater president Steven Todrys and the entire board for their support and leadership at this incredible juncture as we strengthen the artistic contribution we make to the field and the home we provide to our wonderful community us.”
“Sag Harbor has long been an artistically vibrant and diverse community and a home to actors, playwrights and artists who we look forward to welcoming to our new purpose-built venue,” said Scott Schwartz, artistic director of Bay Street Theatre.
The past decade has been a period of “significant” growth for the theatre, welcoming award-winning performers, directors and designers to its stage and mounting productions of new works by writers such as Alena Smith, Jonathan Tolins, Jules Feiffer and Andrew Lippa? and contemporary plays and musicals such as Lynn Nottage's Intimate Apparel. “Grey Gardens”, where in the hamptons? and Michael Arden's “My Fair Lady,” Schwartz said.
“Our new home will greatly increase our ability to continue to present a world-class experience for our artists, audiences and students, while providing a new community gathering place for generations to come,” he added.
Friends of Bay Street plans to break ground in mid-2021 with completion expected in 2023. The architect for the new building will be announced in the coming months along with more details about its facilities and special features.
The center will feature multiple theaters, including a main stage theater that will retain the warmth and intimacy of the original space, while offering additional fixed and flexible spaces to accommodate different configurations based on artistic vision and production needs.
The facility will also feature dedicated space for the organization's year-round educational programs for children and adults, a new work development center, landscape store and storage space, special events and professional development initiatives. This flexibility will allow Bay Street Theater to engage in more original projects, co-productions and collaborations, the release said.
