NEW YORK—City book lovers have something to be proud of when they stroll down Fifth Avenue near 42nd Street. The New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, one of the city’s most treasured icons, has just received a $50 million makeover. Thanks to the face-lift, the building now looks as majestic as it did in 1911, when it first opened its doors to the public as “The People’s Palace.”
The New York Public Library (NYPL) has completed a monumental three-year restoration and preservation project. The newly renovated building was officially unveiled at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday morning. The event launched a year-long celebration to commemorate the library’s centennial anniversary.
NYPL President Paul LeClerc praised successful conclusion of the restoration effort.
“The plan was to have the building restoration completed in time for its 100th birthday celebration on May 23, 2011,” he said. “I am grateful to Mayor [Michael] Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and former Governor George Pataki for the funding they provided,” he added, referring to $45 million in total funding.
New York Council Speaker Christine Quinn attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It is exciting to be here … to have the library and not to have it shrouded by scaffolding,” she said, adding that the newly restored library “reminds us of the great days when people revered books.”
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, who heads the New York City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs and Libraries, echoed the sentiment. “The building is a tribute to the written word, to books, [and] to learning,” he said.
The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building has been designated as a landmark in 1967. Designed by architects Carrère and Hastings in 1911, the iconic marble fixture is a prime example of the Beaux-Arts style of architecture.
A detailed 2003 survey identified over 7,000 separate cases of marble deterioration across the façade of the building. The extensive restorative work included cleaning, re-pointing of masonry joints, protective surface treatments, replacement of balusters, repair of bronze windows, replacement of glass panes, localized repairs of cracks, and replacement of deteriorated aspects.
The restoration effort began in 2008. The principal architects of the project were Timothy Allanbrook and Kylie Normandin of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. “The project went on for three years. We [had to] inspect each condition and determine what repair would be appropriate,” Allanbrook said. Different kinds of deterioration required different repair techniques, as well as consultations with specialists, he explained.
LeClerc noted that the newly renovated building is faced with two main challenges. The first is keeping birds away from the transformed and beautified exterior. “Pigeons are incredibly damaging,” he said. Bird netting measuring 18,000 square feet was used to protect the building during the restoration project.
The second challenge, according to LeClerc, is keeping the library clean and maintaining the exterior of the building. One guest at the ceremony suggested removing bus stops from in front of the library to facilitate this effort. “You should send a letter to Mayor Bloomberg,” quipped another guest.
The New York Public Library (NYPL) has completed a monumental three-year restoration and preservation project. The newly renovated building was officially unveiled at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday morning. The event launched a year-long celebration to commemorate the library’s centennial anniversary.
NYPL President Paul LeClerc praised successful conclusion of the restoration effort.
“The plan was to have the building restoration completed in time for its 100th birthday celebration on May 23, 2011,” he said. “I am grateful to Mayor [Michael] Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and former Governor George Pataki for the funding they provided,” he added, referring to $45 million in total funding.
New York Council Speaker Christine Quinn attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It is exciting to be here … to have the library and not to have it shrouded by scaffolding,” she said, adding that the newly restored library “reminds us of the great days when people revered books.”
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, who heads the New York City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs and Libraries, echoed the sentiment. “The building is a tribute to the written word, to books, [and] to learning,” he said.
The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building has been designated as a landmark in 1967. Designed by architects Carrère and Hastings in 1911, the iconic marble fixture is a prime example of the Beaux-Arts style of architecture.
A detailed 2003 survey identified over 7,000 separate cases of marble deterioration across the façade of the building. The extensive restorative work included cleaning, re-pointing of masonry joints, protective surface treatments, replacement of balusters, repair of bronze windows, replacement of glass panes, localized repairs of cracks, and replacement of deteriorated aspects.
The restoration effort began in 2008. The principal architects of the project were Timothy Allanbrook and Kylie Normandin of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. “The project went on for three years. We [had to] inspect each condition and determine what repair would be appropriate,” Allanbrook said. Different kinds of deterioration required different repair techniques, as well as consultations with specialists, he explained.
LeClerc noted that the newly renovated building is faced with two main challenges. The first is keeping birds away from the transformed and beautified exterior. “Pigeons are incredibly damaging,” he said. Bird netting measuring 18,000 square feet was used to protect the building during the restoration project.
The second challenge, according to LeClerc, is keeping the library clean and maintaining the exterior of the building. One guest at the ceremony suggested removing bus stops from in front of the library to facilitate this effort. “You should send a letter to Mayor Bloomberg,” quipped another guest.
