Hebrew Union College purchases ABCs longtime headquarters on the Upper West Side for $32M

Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is packing up and heading uptown — again. The academic powerhouse of Reform Judaism has announced plans to relocate its New York campus from Greenwich Village to ABC’s longtime headquarters on the Upper West Side by 2027, The Post has confirmed. Purchased for $32 million, according to records filed with the city on Wednesday, the college will take over the First Battery Armory — a stately historic landmark building at 56 W.66th St., conveniently nestled between Central Park and Lincoln Center.

The news was first reported by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.ABC had been stationed at the building since 1979 until its move downtown last year to 7 Hudson Square.The move will bring the institution back to its roots — the Jewish Institute of Religion, which later merged with Hebrew Union College — was originally based just a few blocks away on West 68th Street. “We are thrilled to be moving into a beautifully renovated iconic building befitting our current and future educational and programmatic needs,” said college President Andrew Rehfeld. “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 decision comes just days after the college finalized a deal with New York University to sell its longtime home on West 4th Street for $75 million — leaving the school with a lot of wiggle room.The sale proceeds will go toward purchasing and upgrading the new facility, which is expected to include cutting-edge technology for hybrid learning, a library — and dedicated spaces for prayer, events and exhibitions. The institution will remain in its current building until the new space is ready. “This is a transformational moment for all of us at Hebrew Union College,” said Martin Cohen, co-chair of the school’s real estate task force.

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