Ongoing renovations at this New York City and National Historic Landmark in midtown Manhattan will enable the library to provide a greater range of public facing-programs, exhibitions, and amenities, augment research facilities, and improve logistics and services for its many constituents as the building continues into its second century. Spaces formerly serving back-of-house uses are restored for public use—including the Center for Research in the Humanities, dedicated to research and scholarly work. Other proposed enhancements include the Marshall Rose Plaza, a new public entrance and terrace, new exhibition, retail, and café functions, as well as adding vertical circulation and upgrading building systems, all in deference to the building’s original Beaux-Arts design. The next two phases of the renovation will cover approximately 90,000 NSF with nearly half of this space dedicated to public programming. BBB is working in collaboration with Mecanoo on the Midtown Campus Renovation, which includes renovation and expansion of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) across Fifth Avenue.
