The Lyric is a residential tower above Symphony Space, located at 255 West 95th Street in New York City. It is a prime example of a major residential project that both acknowledges the rich contextual character of the surrounding neighborhood and integrates a historically significant existing building into its design. Offering 17 floors of 285 apartments situated above the Symphony Space Performing Arts Center, The Lyric is a unique moment in the residential fabric of the Upper West Side.

The design solution to the unique mixed-use proposition clearly recalls the Upper West Side’s rich tradition of Art Deco architecture. Although the character of the Symphony Space facades stand distinct from the project’s residential component, the two architectural components work together to form a cohesive whole appropriate to its surrounding context.

To resolve the structural challenges associated with placing a 17 story apartment building over the theater, five steel girders long enough to span the width of the auditorium were hoisted into place above the theater. In essence, the concept was to create the foundation for the residential tower above an existing building rather than below grade as is normally done.