FORT GREENE — The Cumbe Center for African and Diaspora Dance is looking for a new home after developers filed plans to demolish the center's building in Fort Greene and build a high-rise in its place.
A 19-story residential tower will replace the two-story building at 558 Fulton St., near Flatbush Avenue, The Brooklyn Paper first reported.
The new building, developed by SLATE Property Group, will have 157 residential units and commercial space on the ground floor. Twenty percent of units will be affordable, according to the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership.
The dance studio, which was at the building for three years of its 10-year lease, hosts drumming, dance and martial arts classes for students of all ages.
Cumbe staff members were given six months to find a new space, according to the website.
"This is tough news," staff at Cumbe wrote on their website. "We have all worked hard to create a beautiful home in this space."
"We are determined to build on what we’ve created and we WILL find another home for Cumbe!"
Officials at the Partnership said they are looking for a building for Cumbe and hope the studio will stay in the Downtown Brooklyn area, despite limited space.
"There is currently very little vacancy in the area and it is especially hard to find a space that addresses Cumbe's needs — high ceilings, a lot of light and a wide open space," said Andrew Kalish, of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. "But we are working our butts off to find them a place to call home."
Cumbe is raising money for the move and plans to hold classes in the current space until Jan. 31, 2015.
After that, the studio plans to offer classes in various locations around Brooklyn, according to their website.
SLATE Property Group declined to comment.
