Dancing About Architecture (original) (raw)

Architecture Mon Jun 30 2008

The Joffrey Ballet is in the process of moving into a beautiful new home at State and Randolph. The soaring steel and glass building, a Smithfield Properties development originally named MoMo (short for Modern Momentum), is now officially called the Joffrey Tower. Still, “momentum” remains a great word to describe this move: The new headquarters will provide the Joffrey with plenty of room to continue recruiting, training, and developing as a company.

The space features offices, a street-level box office, a black-box theatre, and six airy dance studios where rehearsing ballet dancers will be visible from the street below. These facilities will also contribute to a more unified organization: For years, the administration and performers have operated out of separate buildings, but now they will be based under the same roof.

The new 54-foot high Joffrey Ballet sign, recently mounted to the side of the building, will be illuminated for the first time this evening (Monday, June 30). A grand opening celebration for the Joffrey Tower is set for September.