PAC NYC: Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York
The Perelman Performing Arts Center is a state-of-the-art performance venue located at the heart of the World Trade Center. Discover this architectural gem in Lower Manhattan.
What to Know About the Perelman Performing Arts Center
- The Perelman Performing Arts Center is a performance venue that opened in September 2023 at the World Trade Center site, in the heart of New York’s Financial District. The building sits at the northeast corner of the World Trade Center, between One World Trade Center and the Oculus transit hub, facing the 9/11 memorial and museum.
- The Perelman Performing Arts Center was built on the site of the original 6 World Trade Center, a seven-story building destroyed when the Twin Towers collapsed on September 11, 2001. The new building keeps “WTC 6” in its address, though no one really uses that name.
- Plans for a performance venue at this location date back to 2004, as part of the original World Trade Center reconstruction plan. Architect Frank Gehry presented an ambitious early design that was eventually abandoned. The final design was created by American architects Joshua Ramus and Davis Brody Bond, who also designed the 9/11 museum. The result: an elegant eight-story contemporary building wrapped in a marble facade. It looks like a giant sugar cube.
- The Perelman Performing Arts Center is named after billionaire Ronald O. Perelman, an American banker who donated $75 million to the project. A modest sum for this investor and philanthropist: his fortune is estimated at over $1.7 billion, according to 2025 figures from Forbes.
- Because the Perelman Performing Arts Center has such a long name, it goes by the shorter PAC NYC. Tip: it’s pronounced “pack N-Y-C”.
What to See at the Perelman Performing Arts Center
- The Perelman Performing Arts Center offers an eclectic program. The venue hosts contemporary theater, classical music concerts, chamber opera, art house films, ballet, and contemporary dance. Bill Rauch, the artistic director, describes PAC NYC’s mission this way: “Our artistic program aims to innovate by giving artists exciting new ways to create, collaborate, and share their work with a broad audience, while celebrating the humanity of our city in all its richness.” Quite an agenda.
- The Perelman Performing Arts Center comes alive beyond ticketed shows—it’s worth stepping inside even if you’re not catching a performance. The main hall regularly hosts free concerts featuring DJs and hip-hop performances. No advance reservation needed.
- Guided tours in English run year-round. Each tour lasts about 45 minutes and covers the building’s main performance spaces. Tours cost $18 per person.
- You can also dine at Metropolis restaurant, run by chef Marcus Samuelsson. The menu features American fare with international touches. Expect $50–70 per person for an appetizer, main course, and non-alcoholic beverage.
Book Your Tickets for the Perelman Performing Arts Center
- To book tickets for a PAC NYC show, contact us via our contact form. A key advantage: you can pay in your own currency—euros, Swiss francs, or Canadian dollars—which lets you avoid exchange fees and other banking charges.
- We don’t display prices on our site because there are too many shows and no fixed pricing. Ticket cost depends on the show and your seat category. When you reach out, let us know your travel dates in New York so we can suggest what’s on during your visit.
Practical Information
- Address: 251 Fulton Street, New York. The Perelman Performing Arts Center is at the intersection of Fulton, Vesey, and Greenwich Streets in Lower Manhattan.
- Subway: World Trade Center station (E line and PATH), WTC Cortlandt (1 line), or Cortlandt St (R and W lines).
- Hours: Open Tuesday 11 am to 10 pm and Saturday 4:30 pm to 10 pm. Closed Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I enter the Perelman Performing Arts Center without a ticket to a show?
Yes, you can enter the Perelman Performing Arts Center just to explore the main hall without a ticket. You might catch a free concert or join a paid guided tour.
Who owns the Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York?
The Perelman Performing Arts Center is a public-private institution. The land is owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a public agency. Operations are managed by a nonprofit organization, the Perelman Performing Arts Center Trust.
Photos of the Perelman Performing Arts Center
