Second City, the iconic Chicago improv comedy club that’s produced a long list of famous comedians over the decades, is opening its first New York location in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood.

The famed comedy venue and training hub, after its start 63 years ago in Chicago, plans to open in New York an 11,900-square-foot physical space that will feature a newly built main stage theater, seven classrooms and a full-service restaurant and bar. The New York location, set to open in the summer of 2023, adds to Second City’s existing locations that include Toronto, Second City said in a statement. A spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to a CoStar News request seeking an additional comment and what led to its decision to open its first New York outpost in Williamsburg.

Second City said it expects the location will allow it to develop the talent that New York attracts while the city as a major media hub will be “integral” in expanding content offerings beyond the live stages. An exact planned Brooklyn address was not disclosed.

“New York City is a renowned hub for talent and culture, and we could not be more thrilled to bring The Second City’s unique brand of improv-based entertainment and education to the city as we continue to foster the next generation of comedy,” Second City CEO Ed Wells said in the statement. “We launch at a time of tremendous momentum for the brand, expanding our footprint in Toronto, Canada and garnering critical acclaim for our latest shows.”

Second City’s planned New York opening comes after it named Wells as CEO in September. Wells was previously with Sesame Workshop as executive vice president and global head of media and education. Wells, who also held executive leadership positions at WWE and Paramount, said in September the long-term growth plan for Second City includes “geographical expansion and new media opportunities aimed at bringing The Second City magic to audiences everywhere.”

Since it first opened its doors in 1959 as a small comedy cabaret, Second City has since expanded to become what’s billed as the world’s most influential name in improv comedy.

Second City in recent years has withstood major changes, including overcoming extensive damage to its Wells Street building from a 2015 fire, a shutdown of shows because of COVID-19, and last year’s sale of the company to New York-based private equity firm ZMC, which said at the time it plans to “grow the brand.”

The Chicago home base is in the four-story Piper’s Alley building at Wells Street and North Avenue on the city’s North Side.

Second City over the years has experimented with locations in places including the Chicago suburbs, Detroit, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

The heart of the operation has remained its Chicago and Toronto ensembles, which in their heyday churned out waves of rising stars for “Second City TV," “Saturday Night Live” and other shows, launching dozens of Second City alumni to Hollywood fame.

Members of Chicago and Toronto troupes have included the likes of Bill Murray, John Candy, John Belushi, Eugene Levy, Harold Ramis, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Gilda Radner, Martin Short, Chris Farley, Dan Aykroyd, George Wendt, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Mike Myers and Jason Sudeikis.

Late-night talk show host Colbert got his start at Second City in 1987 taking a job answering calls at the box office and selling T-shirts in exchange for taking classes, according to Second City’s website.

Early stars in the group's history included Alan Alda, Ed Asner, Joan Rivers and Jerry Stiller.

Williamsburg, a short subway or ferry ride across the East River from Manhattan, has become a vibrant retail hub with labels seeking to attract the area’s younger millennial and Generation Z population.

Nike, for instance, has opened a Nike by Williamsburg shop. Google also has opened its second-ever physical store in the neighborhood after opening its flagship location in Manhattan’s Chelsea. Apple opened its first Brooklyn store in Williamsburg back in 2016. Several apparel brands and online-born labels also have signed leases in the area.