Casa Italiana

Casa Italiana is a university building at Columbia University in Manhattan designed with limestone facades and Renaissance style elements modeled after a 15th-century Roman palazzo. Inside, it features a restored theater space and rooms with ornamental plaster and decorative elements that reflect Italian architectural tradition.

The building was designed in 1927 by William M. Kendall of the firm McKim, Mead & White and constructed for Columbia University's Italian language and culture programs. In 1991, the Italian government purchased the building and established a 500-year lease agreement with the university.

The building houses programs dedicated to Italian language and culture, creating a space where students and visitors engage with Italian arts, literature, and history through various activities. The rooms regularly host exhibitions, lectures, and cultural events that keep Italian heritage alive on campus.

The building is located on Amsterdam Avenue between West 116th and West 118th Street and is accessible to visitors interested in viewing Italian art exhibitions and cultural events. Check opening hours and event schedules in advance since the theater and gallery spaces are available to the public during specific times.

The building has served as a filming location and appeared in various film and television productions as a backdrop for scenes depicting Italian or European settings. Its architecture provided a convincing visual setting for scenes requiring authentic Italian design without traveling to Europe.

Location: Manhattan

Architects: William Mitchell Kendall

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

Part of: Columbia University

Address: 1161 Amsterdam Avenue

GPS coordinates: 40.80750,-73.96028

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:01