Governor Hochul leads celebration for the grand opening of SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology’s new $188.5 million Joyce F. Brown Academic Building in New York City

New York – In the heart of Manhattan’s bustling fashion district, a new era of creativity, innovation, and opportunity has arrived. Governor Kathy Hochul joined students, educators, and community leaders on West 28th Street to celebrate the official opening of the Fashion Institute of Technology’s (FIT) newest architectural landmark — the $188.5 million Joyce F. Brown Academic Building, the first new academic building on the campus in nearly half a century.

The building, named in honor of FIT President Dr. Joyce F. Brown, stands as a gleaming symbol of New York’s continued investment in higher education, sustainability, and the state’s global leadership in fashion and design. Spanning more than 100,000 square feet and rising 10 stories high, the new facility merges the creative pulse of New York City with the academic excellence of one of SUNY’s most prestigious institutions.

“FIT’s new Joyce F. Brown Academic Building cements its place at the crossroads of creativity, innovation, and opportunity,” Governor Hochul said. “There’s no more fitting place for this milestone than the fashion capital of the world — New York City — where top-tier talent and the global fashion industry merge to set trends, spark ideas, and build the future. This space will inspire the next generation of designers, artists, and entrepreneurs shaping what’s next in fashion and design.”

A Building That Embodies Vision and Collaboration

The new Joyce F. Brown Academic Building was designed by SHoP Architects, whose vision transformed the concept of a college facility into a striking glass structure that connects the interior energy of FIT with the wider world of New York’s fashion district. The transparent façade creates a literal and symbolic window into the college’s creative core — where art, business, and technology come together.

Read also: Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announces the successful completion of the long-awaited East River Road improvement project in Henrietta

“From the outset of the project we wanted to highlight what was happening at FIT and make it visible for the first time to the broader fashion district,” said Bill Sharples, founding principal of SHoP Architects. “We’re very proud to have had a hand in presenting the creative presence of FIT to the city.”

Inside, the facility features 26 modern, energy-efficient classrooms and studios, administrative offices, and specialized learning spaces — including the largest campus knitting and weaving lab in the United States. For the first time in FIT’s history, students will have access to a 20-foot-high, double-height student commons, designed specifically as a social and collaborative hub outside the classroom. The new space fosters interaction, creativity, and community engagement, with sweeping city views that inspire the same kind of imagination that drives the fashion world itself.

Reflecting New York State’s commitment to sustainability, the building was constructed with environmentally responsible materials and practices and is projected to achieve LEED Gold certification.

A Partnership in Education and Progress

The project, totaling $188.5 million, received more than $94 million in capital appropriations from New York State, while the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) oversaw the project’s design and construction. After years of planning and collaboration, the building reached substantial completion in August 2025 — a milestone that capped a 23-year journey from concept to reality.

“DASNY is proud to have partnered with FIT to deliver this transformative project,” said Robert J. Rodriguez, President of DASNY. “From concept to completion, this 23-year journey reflects the kind of sustained commitment public education deserves. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York continues to invest in SUNY infrastructure, and this building will provide world-class learning space for the next generation of designers, entrepreneurs, and innovators shaping our state’s creative economy.”

FIT President Dr. Joyce F. Brown, for whom the building is named, expressed gratitude and pride in the collaborative effort that made the project possible. “This building was designed to bring students, faculty and the industry together. It is a symbol of opportunity to transform lives, and the remarkable outcome of the partnership between the City and State to invest in public higher education. My hope is that future generations of leaders will use this space to foster a creative community and to explore, innovate, and make a lasting impact on the global economy and the world.”

A Tribute to Leadership and Legacy

The new academic building is not only a physical addition to the FIT campus — it also serves as a living tribute to Dr. Brown’s transformational leadership. Under her guidance, FIT has become a global center for innovation and creativity, expanding its reach into technology, sustainability, and entrepreneurship while continuing to nurture the artistry that defines the fashion industry.

“Dr. Brown truly transformed FIT,” said FIT Board of Trustees Chair Robin Burns-McNeill. “This new building will be a lasting tribute to her vision, dedication, and decades of leadership that have established FIT as a global leader in creative education.”

Governor Hochul praised Dr. Brown’s leadership as a driving force in making FIT a national model for blending creativity and innovation with real-world business acumen. The building, in her view, is not only an academic facility but also a launchpad for the next generation of fashion visionaries who will shape the future of design in New York and beyond.

A Catalyst for New York’s Fashion Economy

The opening of the Joyce F. Brown Academic Building also underscores the critical role of the fashion industry in New York’s economy. According to state data, the industry provides approximately 312,000 jobs and generates $24 billion in wages each year. In 2024 alone, fashion contributed $43 billion to New York City’s economy, accounting for 3.4 percent of the city’s GDP.

Governor Hochul has made it a priority to invest in this sector, recognizing that fashion in New York is more than glamour — it’s a cornerstone of innovation, sustainability, and workforce development.

In 2022, the Governor announced $10 million in state funding to launch the New York Fashion Innovation Center, an initiative that promotes collaboration among designers, researchers, and manufacturers to develop smart and sustainable textiles produced in-state. This effort aims to transform the fashion supply chain into one that prioritizes environmental stewardship and local economic growth.

Read also: RIT unveils a new student-curated exhibit honoring B. Thomas Golisano’s decades of philanthropy and community impact

By 2023, a consortium of universities, nonprofits, and industry leaders, led by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), was selected to manage the Center. The partnership includes FIT, the Hudson Valley Textile Project, Field to Fiber, SUNY Morrisville, and Made X Hudson — all dedicated to advancing sustainable fashion and supporting green jobs. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, the Fashion Innovation Center has already awarded over $160,000 to 16 start-ups, small businesses, farmers, and researchers working on new fiber technologies and sustainable materials.

“New York City is the fashion capital of the world, and so it is fitting that the Fashion Institute of Technology is expanding even further to widen its footprint in the five boroughs,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “We are thrilled to celebrate with FIT as this world-class institution opens up its doors to its new academic building thanks to joint investments by the city, state, and our partners. We cannot wait to see how this facility will benefit the bright, creative minds that will come from it.”

A Testament to Public Investment in Higher Education

The new FIT building reflects a broader state commitment to modernizing SUNY campuses and investing in education that bridges art, science, and business. With 64 colleges and universities across New York, SUNY serves more than 1.4 million students and contributes nearly a quarter of the state’s academic research, with research expenditures totaling $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024.

“The Fashion Institute of Technology is a gem within the SUNY system, focused on academic excellence through its innovative, dynamic, and inspiring programs,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “Having a state-of-the-art environment to learn and gather is an important part of ensuring student success, and I am thrilled students at FIT will be able to utilize the new classrooms, studios, and labs to advance their education.”

The SUNY Board of Trustees echoed that sentiment, calling the new building “transformative” and “a powerful symbol of SUNY’s commitment to creative education.” “We are pleased to extend our congratulations to President Brown and the entire FIT community on the opening of this new academic building, the first in nearly 50 years. The building will transform FIT’s campus, supporting current students with flexible learning spaces to pursue their academic goals, and giving prospective students yet another reason to choose SUNY for their higher education.”

The Future of Creativity, Innovation, and Opportunity

For lawmakers like Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman, the opening represents a turning point for New York’s creative economy. “The opening of FIT’s new North Academic Building marks a milestone for SUNY, for New York’s creative economy, and for the countless students whose futures will take shape within its walls. This cutting-edge facility reflects our shared commitment to advancing education that not only develops skills but also fosters innovation, sustainability, and opportunity.”

Assemblymember Tony Simone added, “FIT has long been essential to the fabric of our community and a global leader in creativity, innovation, and design. This stunning new academic building will ensure the next generation of artists, entrepreneurs, and visionaries have the space and tools they need to thrive. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for investing in this world-class institution and in the future of New York’s creative economy.”

Governor Hochul emphasized that projects like this one embody New York’s forward-looking approach to education — where creativity and commerce meet. “FIT stands at the intersection of artistry and enterprise,” she said, “and the Joyce F. Brown Academic Building will serve as the foundation for that future.”

A Living Symbol of New York’s Creative Spirit

As students begin filling the new classrooms and studios, the Joyce F. Brown Academic Building stands as a testament to what can be achieved when vision, leadership, and collaboration align. From its shimmering façade to its innovative interior, the building captures the very essence of New York — bold, dynamic, and relentlessly creative.

Dr. Brown’s influence and the state’s continued investment ensure that FIT will remain not just a fashion school, but a driving force in shaping the industries and ideas of tomorrow. In the city that never sleeps, the lights of FIT’s new building now shine brightly, signaling a new chapter for education, innovation, and opportunity — one that will inspire generations to come.