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The Frick Collection Renovation & Enhancement - Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners

The Frick Collection Renovation & Enhancement

New York, NY
The Frick Collection Renovation & Enhancement: Frick Ext17 Copy
Client
The Frick Collection
Size
197,000 SF
The first comprehensive upgrade since The Frick Collection opened in 1935, this project opens up more of the historic house to the public, presents more of the permanent collection, and improves facilities for special exhibitions, education programs, conservation, and visitor amenities, including ADA access.

BBB worked as the executive architect in close collaboration with Selldorf Architects. The design for the renovation and enhancement celebrates the architectural legacy and unique character of the Frick while providing contemporary museum services and amenities. The majestic atmosphere of the Frick’s beloved main-floor galleries has been restored, and the former second-floor family quarters, open to the public for the first time, have been transformed into a series of intimate exhibition rooms. The 70th Street Garden, which becomes a visual centerpiece of the project, has been restored in keeping with the vision of Russell Page and sits above a new 218-seat auditorium. The project also encompasses critical infrastructure and systems upgrades with the goal of safeguarding the institution and its collections for future generations. BBB was responsible for the development and coordination of the project, management of the multi-disciplinary consultant team, and restoration and documentation of historic elements of the landmarked structures.

The Frick Collection Renovation & Enhancement: Frick Axon Diagram Before The Frick Collection Renovation & Enhancement: Frick Axon Diagram After
The Frick Collection Renovation & Enhancement: Frick Ext03crop
The Frick Collection Renovation & Enhancement: Frick ReceptionHall Stair Int02crop
The Frick Collection Renovation & Enhancement: Frick GrandStair Int02 Copy
The Frick Collection Renovation & Enhancement: Frick ReceptionHall Int04 copy
A Restored Atmosphere in Beloved Spaces
The Frick Collection Renovation & Enhancement: Frick GardenCourt Int01 Copy
The Frick Collection Renovation & Enhancement: Frick Auditorium Int01 Copy
Stephen A. Schwarzman Auditorium

Underneath the 70th Street Garden, a former vault has been converted into an intimate, enveloping space for performances, talks, and other events. To create this space, the design and construction team completely removed the 70th Street Garden, excavated and constructed the auditorium, then replanted the garden over top of it.

The Frick Collection Renovation & Enhancement: Frick Auditorium Lobby Int01 Copy
The Frick Collection Renovation & Enhancement: Frick Auditorium Int04 Copy
The Frick Collection Renovation & Enhancement: Frick Auditorium Detail03 Copy
The Frick Collection Renovation & Enhancement: Frick Auditorium Int11 Copy
Modern Amenities for a Historic Institution

Project Credits

BBB Partner-in-Charge
Richard W. Southwick
BBB Team
Andres Alvarez Davila
Noerah Alvi
Cedric Araica
Susan Baggs
Susan Bopp
Allison Fricke
Joe Gall
Miriam Kelly
Sergey Khoroshilov
Lars Moestue
Ariane Prache
Kate Reggev
Monika Sarac
Peter R. Scaglione
Jerry Schmit
Andrea Sforza
Michael Wetstone
Design Architect
Selldorf Architects
Horticulture & Garden Design
Lynden B. Miller Public Garden Design
Structural
Guy Nordenson and Associates
Structural Engineer of Record, Waterproofing, Roof
Simpson Gumpertz & Herger Inc.
MEP/IT/Security
Kohler Ronan, LLC
Civil Engineering
Philip Habib & Associates, P.E., P.C.
Geotechnical
Langan
Lighting
L'Observatoire International Lighting Designers and Consultants
Theatre, Acoustics, AV & Façade, Window, Skylight
Arup
Fire Protection
Code Consultants International (CCI)
Sustainability
Atelier Ten
LEED Commissioning
WSP Global
Food Service
Clevenger Frable LaVallee
Vertical Transportation
Jenkins and Huntington
Cost Estimator
Dharam Consulting
Conservation Studios Consultant
Samuel M. Anderson Architects
BIM Specialist
Existing Conditions Surveys Inc
Expeditor
Conversano Associates
Owner's Representative
Colliers International
Construction Manager
Sciame

Awards & Press

Women Builders Council
Notable Private Project Award
Architectural Record
Architectural Record Awards, Honorable Mention (Museums)
Copper Development Association
North American Copper in Architecture (NACIA) Award
Robb Report
The Best Art of the Year, From MoMA’s Jack Whitten Restrospective to a Caravaggio Blockbuster
Designboom
International museum day: 10 must-see museums that just opened (or will soon)
Dezeen
Selldorf Architects completes The Frick Collection renovation in New York
Condé Nast Traveler
New York City’s Museums and Cultural Institutions Are Having a Renaissance
Hospitality Design
Five on Friday: March 28th, 2025
Untapped Cities
A Walk Through the Renovated Frick Collection in NYC
The Age
Spectacular new openings make New York an even better place to visit
La Voce di New York
The Frick Collection to Reopen on April 17 After Significant Renovation
Art Daily
Full slate of new publications announced to celebrate the Frick's grand reopening
The City Life
The Frick Collection Reveals Plans for New Collection Galleries on Second Floor of Original Residence