Halls des Lumières

In the 1850’s Hall des Lumières on 49 Chambers Street, was known as the Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank. Established by The Irish Emigrant Society, a charitable organization focused on assisting the financial interests of immigrants. It was the first skyscraper in New York City designed by Raymond F. Almirall, at 187 feet tall (57 meters) and 14 stories high.

The Beaux-Arts style building was constructed in an H-shaped plan, which allows natural light to flood the rooms and from the outside gives the impression of a mirrored pair of towers.

Today, after a restoration process by global architecture studio Woods Bagot, Culturespaces (the European creator behind the critically acclaimed ‘Atelier Des Lumières’ in Paris) and IMG – the space has re-opened as an immersive digital art center in the Civic Centre Borough.

While the hour-long inaugural exhibition is Gustav Klimt: Gold in Motion, the website highlights special events held amongst the visual projections, like the Hot & Social Yoga or the 45 Minute Vinyasa Experience with Equinox. Tickets can be purchased online.

Write A Comment