LMCC’s LentSpace
“In-the-meantime” cultural activity for temporarily vacant spaces
A free outdoor cultural space open to the public, made possible by the loan of a Trinity Real Estate development site
Planter boxes on-site act as nurseries for trees and plants that will be transplanted into the surrounding neighborhood.
Visitors in front of Canal St. Commons by Graham Hudson.
O.D.D. by Thumb, part of the end-to-end commission.
An aerial view of LMCC LentSpace.
LMCC’s LentSpace program brings “in-the-meantime” cultural activity to temporarily vacant spaces. In partnership with neighborhood organizations, private corporations, government agencies, and real estate entities, LentSpace provides opportunities for artists to create and present their work, gain exposure to audiences and develop dialogues with local communities. LentSpace, like several of LMCC’s public programs, also allows for audiences to experience a unique kind of access to the artistic process, alternative spaces within the built environment, and free cultural amenities.
“LentSpace…is one of the best uses of a vacant lot that I have come across. Aptly named [it’s] something that’s inviting, unpretentious, innovative and environmentally responsible.” —Paper Magazine
LentSpace in Hudson Square
on Varick St. between Canal and Grand Streets
a collaboration between LMCC, Hudson Square Connection, and Trinity Real Estate
Opens to the public May 15
Mondays-Fridays
Hours: 11AM-3PM
Extended hours and additional programming to be announced in June
LentSpace in Hudson Square is located within a Downtown New York City block between Canal, Varick, Grand Streets, and Sixth Avenue. Take A/C/E or 1 train to Canal Street
LentSpace in Hudson Square features a tree nursery that provides shade while incubating street trees that may be planted throughout the Downtown neighborhood at a later date. In addition, a custom operable fence opens and closes the space to encourage a variety of social encounters. Incorporating benches for seating, this fence also acts as a support for the end-to-end graphic design commission. These two elements frame a central event space, which is used for various activities throughout the summer season, including performances and public research showings by artists in LMCC's residency and grants programs.
A model for citywide land use, this temporary project is made possible by the use of a Trinity Real Estate site. The larger enclosed portion of the square known as “LentSpace in Hudson Square” is private space owned by Trinity Wall Street and currently licensed for use to LMCC for temporary art installations.
Support for LentSpace in Hudson Square has been provided by:
Founding sponsor
- Trinity Real Estate
Presenting partners
- Hudson Square Connection
- Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
Project author
- Interboro Partners
Project remodeler
- Matthews Nielsen Landscape Architects
Additional Support for the programming at LentSpace in Hudson Square has been provided in part by
- Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
- Con Edison
- New York City Council
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
- New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
- Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
- Anonymous
WiFi at LentSpace in Hudson Square has been provided by:
- Atlantic Metro
- Horizon Media
Special Thanks
- Alliance for Downtown New York
- American Fence and Company
- F.J. Sciame Construction Co., Inc.
- First Quality Maintenance
- Gilsanz.Murray.Steficek.LLP
- Kelco Construction
- KokoBo Plantscapes
- Securitas Security Services
- Thumb
