EAST VILLAGE — The Lower Eastside Girls Club's new $20 million Avenue D building is opening its doors this fall, and the club has announced a Grand Opening Gala to celebrate.
The club will hold the fete Nov. 12 in its 30,000-square-foot space at 101 Avenue D, between East Seventh and East Eight streets, with ticket packages ranging from $1,000 to $250,000 for the dinner and auction, according to the event's listing.
The club's new headquarters will offer space for a host of programs for the neighborhood's teen girls, including room for those led by the club's famous supporters — like supermodel Tyra Banks' career-developing TZONE program and actress Rosario Dawson's Center for Media and Social Justice.
The ambitious space will also house a full STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program, as well as a 30-foot dome planetarium and a commercial kitchen that will provide job training for young women.
Construction began in October 2010 on the 12-story building that will also include a mix of affordable and market-rate rental units, along with ground-floor retail space.
Funding for the building came from $25 million in bonds issued by the city's Housing Development Corporation. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development transferred the formerly city-owned lot to the Girls Club.
The Grand Opening Gala will feature a sit-down meal with cocktails and an auction. The Visionary Presenting Sponsor ticket for $250,000 will get 20 guests into the event and will also fund a year of "intensive programing" for 100 club members, according to the event's advertisement.
Individual tickets cost $1,000 each.
