Renewing Chelsea Sq. ~ The Desmond Tutu Education Center

The Desmond Tutu Education Center

In summer 2005, the Seminary began renovating three of its historic buildings to house the new Desmond Tutu Education Center. Named in honor of the Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, South Africa, who was a visiting professor at the Seminary when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, the Tutu Center will provide gracious new facilities for programs in peace and reconciliation, Jewish-Christian studies and relations, continuing education and Christian spirituality.

The first visible expression of the revitalization of Chelsea Square, the Tutu Center is transforming the entire Tenth Avenue side of the campus. The design team, led by Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP, is removing the high, blank wall that has long masked this part of the Seminary. In its place, the architects are creating, for the first time, a Tenth Avenue entrance to the campus, set within a new garden.

Exteriors of the three historic buildings are being completely restored, with new slate roofs laid down, new copper gutters installed, and old, unsightly fire escapes removed. Inside, the three buildings are undergoing a gut renovation to serve as modern meeting and guest rooms. Historic architectural elements (such as plaster moldings and mantels) are being retained and restored.

With the Tutu Center, the Seminary is reaching out to the Chelsea neighborhood and the city as never before, while preserving through re-use one entire side of its campus.

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