Italian Academy, Columbia University

Select services venue

The venue will provide the space, plus a few extras.

Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing

Starting at $6,800

Guest capacity

Up to 200 seated guests

About this venue

The Italian Academy for Advanced Studies is a fellowship program for post-doctoral scholars, who work in offices on the fourth and fifth floors of Columbia University's Casa Italiana building, the Academy's home on the main Morningside campus. (We also produce a variety of prestigious public events.) The building is located on Amsterdam Avenue just south of 118th Street. Wedding celebrations are most often in the Teatro, the 2nd-floor 2000-sq-foot ballroom with an adjacent outdoor terrace. We give several options for superb full-service caterers who consistently provide excellent food and service at fair prices. The Italian Academy provides a Public Safety guard, custodial cleaner, optional chairs and AV equipment, and a house manager to assist with making your planning easy and pleasant. We often hear that however beautiful the photos our visitors have seen may be, they only appreciate the space fully during a visit. So we look forward to meeting you--and congratulations.

Seated guest capacity

  • 1-200

Venue type

  • Ballrooms, Banquet Halls
  • Historic Estates, Mansions

Venue setting

  • Indoor
  • Outdoor
1161 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027

Our event spaces

Teatro

The most beautiful room on the Upper West Side.

Housed in Columbia University's landmarked Casa Italiana, a McKim, Mead & White architectural masterpiece on the Morningside Heights campus, the Italian Academy's Teatro is a Renaissance-inspired ballroom with an adjacent outdoor garden terrace. Reception rooms on the ground floor, a private dressing room in the Library, the Teatro is ideal for celebrations with up to 140 guests.

Guest capacity

1-200 Seated

1-200 Standing

Square footage

2,000

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Elopement, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Engagement party, Welcome party, After party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour

Guests often feel this space is

“Luxurious and chic”

Included in this room:

--Dimmable chandeliers and stage lighting --a Steinway D grand piano --an adjacent garden terrace --ground-floor reception rooms --private dressing room --across Amsterdam Avenue from St Paul's Chapel

Room cost

$7600 for up to four hours, then $475 per hour

Library

A warm, luxurious Italian library with its original cork floor and Poltrona Frau furnishings.

The Italian Academy Library is a handsome, comfortable third-floor space ideal for receptions of up to 100 or after-dinner drinks; can also be used as private dressing space.

Guest capacity

1-50 Seated

1-99 Standing

Square footage

1,600

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Elopement, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Engagement party, Welcome party, After party, Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour

Guests often feel this space is

“Warm and cozy”

Included in this room:

Dimmable chandeliers and luxurious Poltrona Frau furniture.

Room cost

$4800 or an additional $2400 when renting the Teatro

Teatro

The most beautiful room on the Upper West Side.

Housed in Columbia University's landmarked Casa Italiana, a McKim, Mead & White architectural masterpiece on the Morningside Heights campus, the Italian Academy's Teatro is a Renaissance-inspired ballroom with an adjacent outdoor garden terrace. Reception rooms on the ground floor, a private dressing room in the Library, the Teatro is ideal for celebrations with up to 140 guests.

Guest capacity

1-200 Seated

1-200 Standing

Square footage

2,000

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Elopement, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Engagement party, Welcome party, After party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour

Guests often feel this space is

“Luxurious and chic”

Included in this room:

--Dimmable chandeliers and stage lighting --a Steinway D grand piano --an adjacent garden terrace --ground-floor reception rooms --private dressing room --across Amsterdam Avenue from St Paul's Chapel

Room cost

$7600 for up to four hours, then $475 per hour

Available services that can be provided by Italian Academy, Columbia University

Services & amenities

  • Bar services
  • Catering services
  • Clean up
  • Dance floor
  • Dressing room / Bridal Suite
  • Event coordinator
  • Event rentals
  • Pet friendly
  • Set up
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Wifi

Reviews

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5.0 out of 5

8 reviews

Write a review

  • The Italian Academy - an ideal event venue

    •Verified review
    •Susan•Aug 13, 2025

    The Italian Academy is an ideal location for a wedding. The beautiful Teatro is grand and historic but also welcoming and beautifully refreshed. The adjacent outside space is a perfect complement. I cannot imagine a better place for a once-in-a-lifetime event.

  • Spectacular venue

    •Verified review
    •Hawley J.•Jul 30, 2025

    Global Freedom of Expression at Columbia University has hosted numerous events at the Italian Academy over the years. We have used the library, the Teatro and the Salone. They are all beautiful rooms but the Teatro is a spectacular space and if the weather is nice, you can use the outdoor patio. We keep coming back not only because the space is so impressive, but also because the management is excellent. Rick always checks to ensure all the details are coordinated, makes great recommendations, and ensures we have all the things we need for a successful event. It is always our first choice and we highly recommend it!

  • Director of Special Events, Columbia Law School

    •Verified review
    •Char•Jul 29, 2025

    The Italian Academy is a beautiful, elegant location for many kinds of events, but it is extraordinary as a wedding venue. The main teatro is an open space with access to an outdoor area. The deep colored luxurious curtains that drape the windows and stage make the space warm and inviting. A sit-down dinner following the wedding is a lovely way to end a couple's special day. The preferred caterers are also excellent and will provide unforgettable meals for the guests. The Italian Academy will provide a memorable day for all.

  • The most elegant space in NYC

    •Verified review
    •Magdalena•Jul 26, 2025

    This Italian villa on the Upper West Side is one of the most sumptuous and elegant venues in all of Manhattan. With its lovely staff and welcoming atmosphere, this is a perfect space for beautiful photos and unforgettable moments.

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