In April, the Frick Collection announced new designs by Selldorf Architects to upgrade and expand the museum’s facilities. The proposed plans include a series of alterations to both the French Louis XVI-style limestone mansion on Fifth Avenue and East 70th Street designed by Carrere and Hastings in 1914, as well as the 1935 museum addition and art reference library by John Russell Pope.

In 2014, the Frick proposed an expansion that would have built upon the 1977 viewing garden designed by acclaimed landscape architect Russell Page. FRIENDS and colleagues, including Unite to Save the Frick, opposed the plans and the Frick withdrew its proposal in 2015. FRIENDS’ Board and Preservation Committee remain hopeful that the new plans are considerate to community input and will be actively commenting during the public review process.

After a two year process, the current proposal is intended to provide additional gallery space, create new spaces for public and educational programs, improve accessibility and visitor amenities, expand facilities for collections conservation, and update infrastructure. Selected renderings are available here, and a detailed information packet compiled by The Frick Collection is available here.

The Frick’s Director Ian Wardropper will be hosting a public information session alongside architect Annabelle Selldorf at the Frick at 1 East 70th Street on June 5th. The presentation, “Honoring the Past and Enhancing the Future” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Members of the public may RSVP by May 29th to Daly@frick.org or (646) 783-5815.

Want to learn more?
Community Board 8 reviewed the proposal at its Landmarks Committee meeting on May 14th, and at the Full Board on May 16th. The Frick’s full presentations have been posted on the CB8 website here.

The Frick proposal is also scheduled for a Public Hearing at the Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday, May 29th to begin at 9:50 a.m. Presentation materials are available on the LPC website, and members of the public may provide testimony up to three minutes in length.

Can’t make the hearing? Comments may be submitted until 4 p.m. on Monday, May 28th through the LPC’s  online portal, or by mail to:

New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
David N. Dinkins Municipal Building
1 Centre Street, 9th Floor North
New York, NY 10007