FRIENDS' Testimony:

FRIENDS’ Preservation Committee is pleased to see that this iconic Breuer building will be under the care of the auction house Sotheby’s while it awaits much anticipated individual and interior landmark status. Since its opening in 1966, the public has enjoyed uninterrupted access to this remarkable space, and we hope this continues with Sotheby's as its custodian.

The Committee does not oppose the bulkhead or the vitrine but we strongly object to altering the underside of the canopy. The concrete under-canopy has a beautiful patina that is integral to Breuer's design. It also plays a crucial role in the building's entry sequence, as envisioned by Breuer. The canopy, overhanging the sidewalk, creates a dramatic transition. You move from the open air to the covered, concrete space, then into the building itself. This sequence, with the canopy like a ziggurat gradually enclosing you, is a key element of the design and should be preserved. If the under-canopy is dirty due to atmospheric soiling, resulting in diminished light reflection, cleaning and potentially adding a discreet lighting solution would be more appropriate than covering it entirely with a bronze panel.

LPC Hearing: January 28, 2025