THEN

Founded by educator and civil rights advocate Clara Spence on East 48th Street in 1892, the Spence School moved to East 91st Street in 1929. This private girls school has three locations on the Upper East Side, including this striking six-story athletic facility. Completed in 2021, in contrast to its brick and brownstone neighbors, the style is proudly modern. Designed by Rogers Partners Architects of New York City, the patterned glass facade is enlivened by vertical aluminum fins. In addition to a large gym and squash courts, it contains a greenhouse and roof garden.