Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) announces the engagement of Kostow Greenwood Architects to design their new state-of-the-art community media facility in New York City's Midtown West neighborhood.

MNN’s announcement of this engagement follows the acquisition of the 3rd and 4th floors of 509 West 38th Street (“Henry Hall"), a new commercial condominium residential tower in the Hudson Yards neighborhood. The two floors will be delivered as white space and MNN has engaged Kostow Greenwood Architects to complete the architecture and interiors to create a state-of-the-art media center on the two designated floors.

The new facility will consist of a total of 23,651 square feet of space encompassing production studios, editing suites, and media classrooms. Design, construction and studio build-out will be overseen by Kostow Greenwood Architects and is expected to be completed fall 2022. The new facility will serve as MNN’s west-side headquarters, replacing MNN’s 75-year-old building located at 537 West 59th Street.

The workplace and broadcast media design for MNN’s newest location represents the third time that MNN has engaged Kostow Greenwood Architects including the award-winning preservation and adaptation of a 19th century mid-block firehouse in East Harlem into the El Barrio Firehouse Community Media Center (175 East 104th Street).

“MNN’s new studios will provide accessible, professional-grade tools and distribution for media makers of all backgrounds,” said Damian Benders, MNN’s Board chair, “We are committed to ensuring that MNN programming and media education remains relevant. It has never been more important to provide world-class resources that empower and support independent media.” “This new media facility will allow MNN to continue our legacy of inclusion and equity,” added Dan Coughlin, President & CEO. “MNN is excited to be investing in our mission, vision, and values, making sure that we provide high quality and affordable resources for media education, production, and distribution that is of the people, by the people, for the people.”

“As the landscape for public access television evolves and MNN expands their programming to meet new demands in the community media environment, we are honored to add our evolving expertise in broadcast media design to help create a new learning and production destination,” said Jane Greenwood, Managing Principal of Kostow Greenwood Architects.  “Our ongoing partnership with MNN has been one of the most rewarding in our firm’s twenty years.”

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The new media “hub” will include production and post-production spaces, including studios, control rooms, a green room and hair & makeup room, set storage, editing spaces, training classrooms, and a new screening room with pre-function space for events. The facility will also include offices for administration, education leadership and executive staff.

This expansion is driven by a need for upgraded facilities and services at all levels of media production and learning. Having a new purpose built facility to accommodate and support media education and community use will serve MNN’s mission and expand public resources to reflect the bold creativity and diversity of New York’s independent media community.