In December, we reported on the uncertain fate of the former Whitney Museum of American Art, designed by Marcel Breuer and his partner Hamilton Smith and our chapter’s ongoing efforts to preserve the interiors. With a change in ownership and use following the sale of the building to Sotheby’s, we feared that Breuer’s original interior could be permanently altered. Since that update there have been two new developments.
On Tuesday December 17 the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) unanimously voted to calendar 945 Madison Avenue (as the former Museum is now known) for interior landmark designation, as we had requested, and for individual landmark designation as well, although the exterior is already protected as part of the Upper East Side Historic District. When sites are “calendared” by the LPC, they are officially being considered for landmark designation and during that time they are protected as if they were designated. Indicating the Commission’s enthusiasm, Commissioner Jeanne Lufty remarked during the hearing, “thank god we’re doing this.” A public hearing on the designations is expected in March or April and it appears likely that both will be enacted.
At its public hearing on Tuesday January 28 the LPC reviewed an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for three proposed alterations to the exterior of 945 Madison for Sotheby’s. Representatives from design architect Herzog & de Meuron and their local partner PBDW Architects (formerly Platt Bayard Dovell White) presented proposals to install a bulkhead for a new elevator, add signage on the vitrine at the entrance, and alter the concrete entry canopy. Because Sotheby’s expects to move art in and out of the building far more frequently than the prior museum occupants, it plans to install a new elevator within the building, which will require a new bulkhead on the roof. The proposed location on the east wall will be well beyond the interior areas proposed for interior landmark designation. The position of the bulkhead on the roof is such that it will not be visible from Madison Avenue and it will only be visible from East 65th Street from well east of the building. The design team intends to match the exterior of the new bulkhead to the existing board formed concrete. At the entrance, they plan to add “Sotheby’s” in 8-inch high lettering to the vitrine. Aside from flags on the existing flagpoles, this is the only new signage proposed. DOCOMOMO New York Tri-State’s Advocacy Committee did not find the proposed bulkhead or signage objectionable.
The third proposed intervention was to install a bronze plate on the underside of the concrete entry canopy. The Sotheby’s team argued that the present canopy is not welcoming and the illumination it provides does not meet current codes. The intent of the proposed bronze panel was for light to be reflected off of it to illuminate the entry. In a prior proposal to Community Board 8, the design team had proposed painting the underside of the canopy. Bronze was selected because it is an original material used within the building.
At the hearing, chapter President John Arbuckle read DOCOMOMO New York Tri-State’s statement as drafted by its new Vice President of Advocacy, Frampton Tolbert. We objected to the installation of the metal plate because we believe it would be an inappropriate and overly obtrusive intervention and it would obstruct the view of the original concrete. We proposed using uplighting from below to increase illumination without the metal plate. Several other preservation organizations, including DOCOMOMO US, also testified and opposed the installation of the metal plate. Fortunately, the Commissioners agreed with the preservationists. All but one voted against approving the installation of the metal plate and many encouraged the design team to explore the suggested uplighting. The LPC did approve the bulkhead and signage.
DOCOMOMO/US New York Tri-State testimony letter
“The Breuer Building’s Interiors Might Be Saved Afterall,” Curbed, January 7, 2025