See Renovation Plans For Public Library's Famous Main Branch

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Representatives from the New York Public Library presented plans detailing renovations to the exteriors of the landmarked main branch — the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building — at a meeting of the city Landmarks Preservation Commission this week, according to documents from the meeting.

The library plans to improve existing green spaces surrounding the Schwarzman buildings and in Bryant Park as well as expand a loading dock area near the building and creating a new terrace for public use, according to plans presented to the LPC. The renovations are part of a $317M master plan, announced in 2017, to renovate the main branch.

Most of the library's major exterior renovations will be made to the 40th Street side of the building in order to make it more symmetrical with the 41st Street side, according to the library's presentation. A new terrace will be added to the side of the Schwarzman building that will feature plantings, seats and tables. The existing plaza touching Fifth Avenue will also be re-graded to remove a short step and make the space more accessible.

The library will also expand an existing loading area that's located about halfway down the block on West 40th Street, according to the library's presentation.

Other exterior renovations include improving the existing Fifth Avenue plaza by re-grading the public spaces; removing inaccessible grille covers and adding new lighting fixtures; improvements to nearby subway entrances, installing ADA-accessible ramps at existing public spaces and improving access to Bryant Park.

The New York Public Library renovation project is expected to take until 2021 to complete and will be conducted in two phases using private funds. Landmarked and historic interiors such as the Rose Reading Room and the maps division will be preserved.

Other highlights of the renovation plan include:

• Transforming former staff or storage spaces into public spaces for research, exhibitions and educational programs.
• Transforming underutilized, historic spaces for research and programs, including the new Lenox and Astor Room.
• Constructing an entrance on 40th Street with a plaza and new elevator bank.
• Building new bathrooms and improving and modernizing library infrastructure.
• Building a new center for research and learning for high school and university students.
• Establishing a new permanent rotating exhibition of NYPL treasures in the library's Gottesman Hall.

Photos/renderings courtesy New York Public Library/Landmarks Preservation Commission