Hebrew Union College Announces New Home for its New York Campus
Leading Jewish educational institution will move to a state-of-the-art facility in a landmark building
NEW YORK, NY, February 7, 2025 – Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC)—the academic center and leadership institute of Reform Judaism—has announced it will move to a landmark building known as the First Battery Armory at 56 West 66th Street in Manhattan by 2027.
“We are thrilled to be moving into a beautifully renovated iconic building befitting our current and future educational and programmatic needs,” said Hebrew Union College President Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D. “This inviting new space will reflect the sacred purpose of our work and allow us to better serve our students, faculty, and staff. Our new home promises to be an inspiring place for Hebrew Union College to foster a flourishing educational community as we continue to shape the dynamic and innovative Jewish leaders we need for a thriving future.”
The new building, nestled between Central Park and Lincoln Center, is in the heart of a robust pluralist center of Jewish life in New York City. The relocation represents a homecoming of sorts, to the neighborhood where the Jewish Institute of Religion (founded in 1922) was originally located on West 68th Street. The Jewish Institute of Religion merged with Hebrew Union College in 1950, and the New York campus moved to West 4th Street in 1979. The move to West 66th Street will also enrich the HUC community by bringing the campus closer to an array of cultural, educational, and Jewish institutions.
“This is a transformational moment for all of us at Hebrew Union College,” said Martin Cohen, an emeritus member of Hebrew Union College’s Board of Governors and co-chair of the real estate task force established as part of the College’s strategic planning process. “I couldn’t be more pleased about the new home for our New York campus, where our students, faculty, staff, and community will have enhanced opportunities to learn and explore as they engage in sacred learning. I would like to express my gratitude to the entire Board of Governors and Hebrew Union College team who helped us reach this important milestone that will enable HUC to shape a vibrant new era of Jewish leadership.”
“Moving to the Upper West Side will allow Hebrew Union College to become a community partner with area institutions and strengthen our ongoing collaborations with nearby seminaries and synagogues—all while retaining existing relationships with NYU and others,” said Rabbi David Adelson, Dean of Hebrew Union College’s New York campus. “This strategic shift to a new facility will move our institution forward and provide a beautiful space that enhances fellowship and dynamic Jewish learning.”
The new building, a landmarked armory that was extensively updated with modern systems by its last owner, will be reconfigured to include state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure for in-person and hybrid learning, as well as a library, beit midrash, and areas for prayer, community events, and exhibitions. The HUC Community will have opportunities to give input and remain engaged throughout the development of the project.
The purchase of this building comes just a week after Hebrew Union College and New York University (NYU) jointly announced the sale of HUC’s current building in Greenwich Village to neighboring NYU. The proceeds from the sale of the current facility on West 4th Street will fund the purchase, support the renovation of HUC’s new home, and provide significant investment into HUC’s endowment to support ongoing program. David Carlos, Head of Nonprofit, Education & Government Practice at JLL, advised HUC on both transactions. Under the deal with NYU, Hebrew Union College will remain in the Greenwich Village building until sometime in 2027, when the reconfiguration of the new West 66th Street location is complete.
The decision to move the New York campus to a new facility was guided by Hebrew Union College’s Board of Governors, with the goal of aligning HUC’s real estate footprint and facility renovation across all its campuses with its program and needs. Grounding their work in the core principles of flexibility, mission delivery, and financial sustainability, the Board of Governors and the administration are charting a strategic course for the future of Hebrew Union College and the Reform Movement.