In 1956, Marcel Breuer was asked to develop a master plan for New York University’s “Uptown” campus in the Bronx overlooking the Harlem River. From 1959 to 1970, five buildings were constructed to Breuer’s designs. They offer a Modern counterpoint to the Beaux Arts works of Stanford White that form the adjoining original campus core. In 1973 NYU sold the campus and it became Bronx Community College, part of the CUNY system.

This tour will begin with an overview of the original campus complex designed by McKim, Mead & White, including the Gould Memorial Library and Hall of Fame of Great Americans, now a National Historic Landmark. We will then discuss the campus masterplan prepared by Marcel Breuer and Associates and examine in some detail the five buildings the firm contributed to the campus, including Begrisch Hall, now a designated New York City Landmark. In addition, we will briefly view some unrealized projects designed by Breuer for NYU. We will conclude with a brief virtual visit to the most notable addition to the campus since the Breuer era, the recent library designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects.

Since 2009, DOCOMOMO US/New York Tri-State has guided in-person tours of the Breuer buildings on the campus on several occasions, most recently a well received Archtober 2018 Building of the Day tour. DOCOMOMO US/New York Tri-State President John Arbuckle, Assoc. AIA, will guide our first virtual visit to Bronx Community College.

Organized in partnership with the Center for Architecture.

Friday October 16, 1:00–2pm

Please note: this is a virtual event. Advanced registration is required. Log-in information will be sent to registrants prior to the event.

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