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Historic UWS Building Will Be Permanent Home of Photography Center and Publisher  

September 28, 2022 | 7:04 AM - Updated on October 3, 2022 | 5:14 PM
in ART, HISTORY, NEWS, REAL ESTATE
25
380 Columbus Avenue. Photograph by Lisa Kava.

By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava

A historic Upper West Side building that was home to popular restaurants — most recently, Ocean Grill — but has been empty since 2015, will be coming back to life. The Aperture Foundation, a nonprofit supporting the art of photography, is moving its offices, bookstore, and exhibition space into 380 Columbus Avenue at 78th Street, also known as the Evelyn.

Aperture was founded in 1952 by photographers, including Ansel Adams, as well as writers. Today, the organization publishes a quarterly photography magazine, photobooks, and books about photography. Aperture also hosts exhibitions, workshops, and educational programs.

The foundation had been renting space in Chelsea for nearly two decades, but its leadership felt a permanent home would solidify the organization’s future and help it reach a wider audience, said Sarah Meister, executive director of Aperture, in a Zoom interview with WSR. Meister was appointed to her role in 2021, after 26 years in the department of photography at the Museum of Modern Art. 

In 2018, Aperture began a capital campaign and started looking at properties. In 2020, it closed its gallery and bookstore in Chelsea in anticipation of a move. This decision happened to coincide with the COVID shutdowns soon after. Its public spaces remain closed.  

The Evelyn. Photograph by Scott Etkin.

When Meister and her colleagues walked into 380 Columbus on the corner of 78th Street, they had already visited hundreds of properties from Harlem to Battery Park City. The historic building made an instant impression. “We wandered in, and the space has this wonderful energy and aura to it,” Meister said. “It was that minute of walking in and seeing the sun streaming in and seeing all the traffic along Columbus Avenue,” she said. “It felt fantastic.” The space, which is more than 10,000 square feet, was listed at $9.75 million.

380 Columbus was designed by the architect Emile Gruwe, one of the first instructors at Cooper Union, the renowned college focusing on art, architecture and engineering. It checked many of the boxes on Aperture’s wish list. Specifically, it has a large ground floor retail space that allows people on the street a view into the space. Completed in 1894, the building also has a history befitting an organization that recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. 

Aperture is in the middle of a schematic design phase with its architects, LEVENBETTS, so renderings aren’t available yet. The foundation hopes to be in the new space in summer 2024, but the move could happen earlier. “This is something that requires thought and input from our staff, our trustees – we really want to make sure that we’re anticipating all the hiccups and concerns,” Meister said. “We don’t want to rush that, but we’re continuing to push it along.” 

Photograph by Lisa Kava.

380 Columbus, recognizable by its red terra cotta angels, was landmarked in 1990. Meister does not expect any significant architectural changes. “The space is great, the building is great – don’t mess with a good thing.”

She also said that being in an old building is important for an organization with a long history. “When you’re 70 years old, you want something that feels anchored and that points to the next 70 years.”

While Aperture is well-known in art circles, it lacks name recognition with the general public. Being in a neighborhood that’s easily accessible and close to other institutions – such as the Museum of Natural History and New York Historical Society – will help people discover Aperture for the first time. “The vast majority of people in the city carry a camera in their pocket at all times,” she said. “I believe there are photo-curious people who don’t go to Chelsea.” 

 The move to 380 Columbus will also allow Aperture to fulfill its mission as an educational organization, Meister said. “Being on the ground level, you’ll be able to have a sense of the people who are making the things you’re looking at.” By contrast, Aperture’s space in Chelsea is on the fourth floor, making it harder for people to discover who aren’t already looking for it. “Connecting people to and through photography is very important to us and has been since we started,” she said.

Photograph by Lisa Kava.

The majority of space will be used for offices where staff will create the books and quarterly magazine that Aperture publishes. Part of the space will be dedicated to public functions, such as “a bookstore or a room in which we might have a book signing, or an artist talk, or a small display of prints,” Meister said.

380 Columbus has been vacant for seven years. The Wing, a chain of co-working spaces designed to be more accommodating to women, had planned to open in the location in spring 2020, but that opening was stalled at the onset of the pandemic, and the company shut down this past August. 

When 380 Columbus was first built, it was necessary for the ground floor to be a restaurant, according to Landmark West – a preservation nonprofit – because some of the original apartments did not have kitchens. Over the years the space has been home to several restaurants and bars as well as Ocean Grill, including Gargala’s, P&G Bar, and Evelyn Lounge. 

While the Upper West Side doesn’t have the galleries of Chelsea, Meister hopes the new space will attract the art crowd from all over the city. “We’re in it for the long haul,” she said. “Arts neighborhoods come and go. What used to be SoHo then became Chelsea. Some might say it’s now the Lower East Side or TriBeCa. But I hope we’re not going to move every 15 years!”

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72RSD
72RSD
6 months ago

It’s not the primary purpose here but some gallery space would be great! Also wondering if they would have any darkroom space for rent/instruction. The location across from AMNH is perfect and it’s a unique addition to the neighborhood.

4
Reply
Eff Shtopp
Eff Shtopp
6 months ago

Re: “I believe there are photo-curious people who don’t go to Chelsea.”
Wellll…SOME of us (spouse and self) DO go to Chelsea because:
1. it’s a wonderful opportunity for artsy photo-taking (classy buildings on tree-lined streets, more modern architecture on its avenues, and a general cool-funkiness;
2. it’s close to The High Line (more photo-ops);
3. and it offers that sense of exploring an unfamiliar area without having to leave Manhattan.
As ’tis said: try it; you’ll like it!

0
Reply
James Dugan
James Dugan
5 months ago
Reply to  Eff Shtopp

Dude, calm down. I think you missed the point of the mention of Chelsea. As the article says, and as you pointed out, some don’t go to Chelsea. No need to get excited and list the reasons you do go. It’s not important and they aren’t knocking on Chelsea. Maybe you are just proud of the fact that you go, and that is great. But I don’t think general takeaway from this article has anything to do with how many people go to different neighborhoods and why. It’s more a feel good piece about exciting improvement to our neighborhood.

1
Reply
Melissa BIrnbaum
Melissa BIrnbaum
6 months ago

Best news I heard all morning. This art educator adores Aperture! Can’t wait!!!

11
Reply
John E.
John E.
6 months ago

I love it! Great addition to the neighborhood. I would think they will devote most of the space to a gallery to gain more public awareness and a larger revenue stream. Can’t wait!

3
Reply
UWS Resident
UWS Resident
6 months ago

Building is rich in architecture and UWS history . . . back during its early construction in the 1880’s the developer/owner ran out of money. It was originally to be eight (8) stories high. In March 1885, the building, then five stories high, went into foreclosure and was bought by two iron merchants. Phineas Smith and Edward Milliken. They brought in their own architect who had his own vision for the two remaining top floors. Seen from the street, the 6th & 7th floors do not resemble the bottom 5. Also, back in the 1980’s there used to be a very good used clothing / vintage retail store at the basement level. The Columbus Avenue street project of the 1990’s caused it to close (along with several others businesses).

5
Reply
Coop
Coop
6 months ago
Reply to  UWS Resident

Alice Underground!

9
Reply
UWS Resident
UWS Resident
6 months ago
Reply to  Coop

You are correct! 👍 And after it closed, it became a lounge called Phoebe’s.

3
Reply
Marnie Mueller
Marnie Mueller
6 months ago

What wonderful news!

2
Reply
Nina Edwards
Nina Edwards
6 months ago

What are the plans for ADA compliance and wheelchair accessibility? I am a retired Accessibility Specialist and would like to ensure that all accessible design requirements are provided. Please advise whom I might contact for such information. Thank you.
Nina Edwards

3
Reply
Sam Katz
Sam Katz
6 months ago
Reply to  Nina Edwards

The older I get and more arthritic, the more important I realize this is. It would not be a bad idea to start a group to monitor accessibility in the City. I’m all for it, if you need bodies to note locations, etc.

1
Reply
Maggie McComas
Maggie McComas
6 months ago
Reply to  Nina Edwards

Nina, how can I reach you directly re accessibility issues? I”m not planning to start a new campaign or group but am merely someone who is (temporariy, I hope) several hampered in movement, walking with a cane and struggling with heavy doors and srairs. Thank you.

2
Reply
Jean
Jean
6 months ago

Sounds good to me. Anything to save a historic building gets my vote.

3
Reply
upperbestside
upperbestside
6 months ago

Excellent news!!! Very happy to have Aperture in the ‘hood.

1
Reply
life long upper-west-sider
life long upper-west-sider
6 months ago

SO HAPPY!!! When will it open?

1
Reply
Teresa
Teresa
6 months ago

What a wonderful addition to the neighborhood! And great use for this most beautiful building. Welcome Aperture!

3
Reply
RickiLS
RickiLS
6 months ago

Welcome to the neighborhood! This is a great addition. I hope they are able to have exhibits..even small exhibits would be very welcome.

2
Reply
Elcha8
Elcha8
6 months ago

Fabulous news!! Hopefully we will continue to see more of this on the UWS!

2
Reply
Pedestrian
Pedestrian
6 months ago

This is wonderful.

1
Reply
Lydia Leeds
Lydia Leeds
6 months ago

What’s funny is that for the tenure of the restaurant Ocean…. They had a “photo” room!!!

1
Reply
Sam Katz
Sam Katz
6 months ago

I am thrilled about this. Aperture is a historic publication in the history of photography. I had a darkroom when I was 14 through college, then for decades stopped shooting. For the past decade-plus, I use my phone, but the Apple cameras are a wonder. My interest in photography, however, has never waned. Very glad to hear about this addition to the hood.

2
Reply
Liz G
Liz G
6 months ago

What a win for the neighborhood! I’ve been wondering what was going on with this space for years, thanks for the scoop WSR

1
Reply
david
david
6 months ago

Exciting to see something open that doesn’t involve baked goods!

2
Reply
Sky
Sky
6 months ago

Is there truth that this building has a connection with the in/famous Evelyn Nesbit, the paramour of Stanford White – that this was originally own by her husband’s family, the Thaws? Or, that it was just a marketing of the Evelyn Lounge?

0
Reply
Lear
Lear
5 months ago

It would be great if the new facility could display the art of many of our fine photographers that live on th UWS and elsewhere and perphaps offer resonably priced courses like Photoshop or lighting design.

2
Reply

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