Avery Fisher seeks new architectural proposal for $300 million renovation

Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center is planning a major renovation. But instead of continuing with a previous plan helmed by starchitect Norman Foster, theatre officials are looking for proposals from a new crop of architects, the New York Times reported.

Foster won the competition for the redesign in 2005, but the project was stalled over concerns that raising $300 million for the construction would be difficult in an era of falling attendance and ticket revenues.

Now, thanks to the recent renovation of the rest of Lincoln Center, Avery Fisher is aiming to push ahead with the overhaul, which would include improving acoustics, replacing outdated amenities for patrons and rearranging the auditorium.

When contacted by the Times, Foster seemed “unaware” of the new direction, the newspaper said. A spokesperson for his firm, Foster & Partners, said, “Obviously we would like to continue working with our clients to realize this project.”

However, there remain questions regarding the budget. For now, the theater is working on a schedule to select an architect and an acoustician. A theater designer has reportedly been selected, but officials declined to identify who it was. [NYT] — Zachary Kussin