New York City Center (former Mecca Temple)

The building at 131 West 55th Street was constructed as the Mecca Temple for the Shriners and opened in 1923 with a richly decorated Moorish- and classical-inspired interior. In 1943 it was converted into New York City Center, a nonprofit performing arts venue that has presented dance, theatre, and music for decades. The structure is recognized for its distinctive original ornamentation and its role in mid-20th-century civic arts programming.