Lewis Arts complex receives industry awards for redevelopment, construction

Princeton University’s Lewis Arts complex, which opened in October 2017, received two industry awards this month for its redevelopment focus and for construction of a cultural building.

Karen Jezierny (center), director of public affairs at Princeton University, accepts the NJBIA New Good Neighbor Award at a July 17 ceremony at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey. Also pictured: NJBIA board member and president of Piper Holdings LLC Matthew Wright (left) and NJBIA president and CEO Michele Siekerka.

The complex includes a new home for the Lewis Center for the Arts’ programs in dance, music theater and theater and the Princeton Atelier. The new building for music expands facilities for the Department of Music. The complex also includes a gallery for the Program in Visual Arts.

Situated on the south edge of campus, the complex anchors a 22-acre development that includes two restaurants, a Wawa convenience store and the new Princeton train station. The complex is surrounded by a park-like setting with extensive landscaped plazas, pathways and green spaces. It is adjacent to the McCarter Theatre Center. The project was designed by Steven Holl Architects of New York and built by Turner Construction Co. of Philadelphia.

New Good Neighbor Award: NJBIA, New Jersey Business Magazine

The Lewis Arts complex is among 14 New Jersey redevelopment projects awarded by the New Jersey Business & Industry Association and New Jersey Business magazine for the 58th Annual New Good Neighbor Awards. The annual event, held this year at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey, on July 17, salutes the companies as well as the architects, builders and financing entities whose redevelopment projects have benefited their communities and improved New Jersey’s overall economic landscape.

“Collectively, these 14 winning projects have made over $720 million in capital investments and provided 5,924 jobs,” said Michele Siekerka, NJBIA president and CEO. “NJBIA is proud to shine a spotlight on companies whose investments have improved the quality of life in their communities and helped move the state’s economy forward.”

Independent judges chose the winners from a cross section of state associations and organizations. Entries were evaluated using criteria that considered the projects’ economic benefits, job creation, architectural merits and community involvement. 

In a video produced by NJBIA, Ronald McCoy Jr., University architect, said: “I think that people had the vision to see that this building, with its synergy with the McCarter Theatre Center and its ability to revitalize this neighborhood of campus, would be transformative for Princeton.”