New York Public Library Unveils Master Plan for Schwarzman Building

November 27, 2017
Credit: Mecanno with Beyer Blinder Belle

The Master Plan for the New York Public Library’s flagship Stephen A. Schwarzman Building was developed by Mecanoo and Beyer Blinder Belle, who are leading the renovation of the Library’s Midtown Campus.

The New York Public Library Unveils Master Plan for Its Iconic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Plan calls for an increase in public space, the restoration of historic rooms, and a vastly improved visitor experience

NOVEMBER 15, 2017 – The New York Public Library has unveiled a Master Plan for its iconic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, one of the nation’s leading research libraries, which for over a century has stood as a symbol of open and free access to information and opportunity.

The $317 million plan for the historic Midtown building on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street was shared at the Library’s Board of Trustees meeting this evening, and calls for an approximate 20% increase in public space for research, exhibitions, and educational programs.

The Master Plan was developed by Dutch architecture firm and experts on library design Mecanoo, led by Francine Houben, and Beyer Blinder Belle, a New York City-based firm known for its work on historic buildings, led by Elizabeth Leber. Mecanoo and Beyer Blinder Belle are also leading the renovation of Mid-Manhattan Library, the Library’s largest circulating branch, located across Fifth Avenue. It is scheduled to reopen as the completely renovated Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library in early 2020…

Continue reading the press release.

Watch a video about the project.

Selected articles below provide a first look at the Master Plan:

The Architect’s Newspaper, “New York Public Library gets new master plan by Mecanoo and Beyer Blinder Belle,” by Audrey Wachs

Curbed NY, “New York Public Library’s main branch gets a new $317M master plan,” by Emily Nonko

Library Journal, “NYPL Unveils Plans for Schwarzman Building,” by Lisa Peet

The New York Times, “New York Public Library Unveils $317 Million Master Plan,” by Jennifer Schuessler

The Wall Street Journal, “New York Public Library Approves Master Plan to Renovate Flagship Library,” by Leslie Brody