Bouwerie Lane Theatre

In the shadow of the grand Chrystie Street Connection, where the elevated trains once rumbled, sits the Bouwerie Lane Theatre. Did you know this architectural gem began its life not as a stage for captivating dramas, but as a bastion of finance? The Bouwerie Lane Theatre, originally built from 1873-1874, housed the Atlantic Savings Bank, later becoming the Bond Street Savings Bank. Designed by Henry Engelbert, its cast-iron facade, a masterpiece of French Second Empire style, stands as a testament to a bygone era of sophisticated architecture. The AIA Guide to New York City lauds it as “one of the most sophisticated cast-iron buildings.” The bank, however, met an unfortunate end, failing in 1879. The building was then sold to the German Exchange Bank, serving the burgeoning German immigrant community of the area. The Bouwerie Lane Theatre’s journey took a dramatic turn in the 1960s. After a stint as a fabric storage warehouse, it was transformed into a theatre in 1963 by Honey Waldman. Waldman produced several plays, breathing new life into the old bank building. From 1974 to 2006, the Bouwerie Lane Theatre became synonymous with the Jean Cocteau Repertory Theatre. This company, known for its rotating repertory, staged both classic and contemporary works, with a resident company of actors. The first production at the Bouwerie Lane Theatre as a theater was “The Immoralist” in 1963, starring a young Frank Langella. The theater later hosted a variety of productions, from the musical “Dames at Sea” in 1968, which launched Bernadette Peters to stardom, to Tom Stoppard’s “Night and Day” in 2000, and even Brecht’s “The Threepenny Opera” in 2003. The final production by the Jean Cocteau Repertory was Jean Genet’s “The Maids X 2” in 2006. The Bouwerie Lane Theatre’s story, however, takes another turn in 2007. The building was purchased by Adam Gordon, and its theatrical days came to an end. It was converted into a private mansion, complete with a climbing wall, with the Bowery frontage designated for retail space. Despite this transformation, the Bouwerie Lane Theatre’s legacy lives on. Designated a New York City landmark in 1967, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, its story is woven into the fabric of NoHo’s vibrant history. As you stand before the Bouwerie Lane Theatre today, remember its multifaceted past. From bank to theatre to private residence, this architectural marvel stands as a testament to the ever-evolving spirit of New York City.