A $5.3 million purchase has dramatically increased the footprint of The Lucille Lortel Theatre, a legendary Off-Broadway theatre (and theatre company) in Manhattan's Village neighborhood. The new space, a three-story carriage house in Chelsea, will include a 61-seat studio theatre, a collaborative co-working space for artists, and office space for the theatre company.

The theatre hopes the new space will help the company better support emerging artists and the creation of new works. Following renovations, the space is expected to open and become the theatre's headquarters in 2025.

The Lortel has also named two co-artistic directors of new work, Michael Heitzman and Caridad Svich. They will join Kimille Howard, current artistic director of educational programs. Heitzman and Svich will lead the creation of new programming as the theatre expands, with Heitzman focused on new musicals and Svich on new plays.

“We are excited to be able to continue Lucille Lortel’s legacy of supporting New York City artists and theatre lovers by expanding our physical presence and programming," says Lortel Executive Director George Forbes in a statement. "With the purchase of this space, theatre artists will have a space to dream and create new works, while our growing theatre company and artistic team will spearhead new programs and shepherd new works. This new space expands on Lucille Lortel Theatre’s mission to foster both new and established artists, increase awareness and appreciation of Off-Broadway, and create a larger, more diverse community of theatre makers and audiences."

"I am looking forward to establishing an artist-centered, climate-conscious program that will nurture theatre-makers and their works for now and future," adds Svich. "During these perilous times, it gives me hope that the Lortel wants to support the kind of artistic dreaming necessary that will help guide us all through and toward the light."

The purchase was secured by Denham Wolf Real Estate Services.