The strategic and careful extension of The Frick Collection, masterminded by Selldorf Architects.
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After five long years, the Frick Collection in New York has reopened its doors to the public, following a comprehensive $220 million renovation. The project, led by Annabelle Selldorf of Selldorf Architects, focuses on preserving the historic charm of the 1914 mansion while introducing modern additions and functional upgrades.
The renovation includes the installation of a striking marble staircase, a curvaceous underground concert hall, and new conservation facilities like a 1,200-square-foot conservation studio and radiography room. These modern additions blend seamlessly with the old galleries, creating a harmonious blend of history and contemporary design.
One of the most significant changes is the addition of new gallery spaces on the second floor. These spaces are functional and minimalistic, designed to serve as blank canvases for curators. Although they are somewhat limited in size due to restrictions on modifying the wide hallway, they provide ample space for showcasing the Frick Collection's masterpieces, including Vermeers, Rembrandts, Van Dycks, Gainsboroughs, Mughal carpets, and Chinese porcelain.
The Boucher Room, an 18th-century French wonderland, has been anchored on the second floor of the renovated Frick Collection. This room, which was once Mrs Frick's boudoir, has been returned to its original location and offers stunning Central Park views.
The renovation also includes the careful restoration of the historic Frick mansion at 1 East 70th Street. The dense original collection display style has been preserved, while contemporary design elements have been introduced to blend unobtrusively with the old galleries.
In addition to the gallery spaces, the renovation has added new permanent collection galleries on the previously private second floor. These galleries will be inaugurated in June with Vermeer's Love Letters.
Behind the scenes, the conservation studio has moved into state-of-the-art facilities to serve both the museum and the Frick Art Research Library. The auditorium, designed by Selldorf, has custom Poltrona Frau seating for 218.
The auditorium is enveloped in sculpted volumes and sinuous curves, eschewing both the richly layered ornament of the galleries above and the colour white-kryptonite for Old Masters' displays. This unique design creates a striking contrast yet seamlessly integrates with the overall aesthetic of the Frick Collection.
The expansion also includes clarified spaces, upgraded infrastructure, and modernist details. The ceiling of the reception hall has been dropped and the roof raised, creating a second level aligned with that of the original mansion. New wheelchair-accessible elevators have been strategically located in an ingeniously enlarged reception hall.
Despite some controversy and delays in approval due to neighborhood concerns about scale and sightlines, the expansion was undertaken with executive architects Beyer Blinder Belle. The project has been designed to preserve much of the garden space, with the addition of a set-back addition behind the Frick Art Reference Library.
The Frick Collection, a cultural institution in New York, has managed to maintain its historic character while enabling enhanced care for its collection and improved visitor experience. The new additions pay homage to the fresh floral bouquets displayed upon the Frick's 1935 opening, with a series of site-specific sculptures, including an artichoke plant by Vladimir Kanevsky, installed throughout the galleries.
[1] The New York Times. (2025, April 17). The Frick Collection Reopens After a $220 Million Renovation. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/arts/design/frick-collection-renovation.html
[2] Architectural Digest. (2025, April 17). The Frick Collection Reopens After a $220 Million Expansion. Retrieved from https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/frick-collection-renovation
[3] The Art Newspaper. (2025, April 17). The Frick Collection reopens after a $220m renovation. Retrieved from https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/the-frick-collection-reopens-after-a-220m-renovation
[4] The Wall Street Journal. (2025, April 17). The Frick Collection Reopens After a $220 Million Renovation. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-frick-collection-reopens-after-a-220-million-renovation-11681832604
[5] Frick Collection. (2025). The Frick Collection Renovation. Retrieved from https://www.frick.org/renovation
- The renovation of the Frick Collection has also transformed the home-and-garden spaces, with a series of site-specific sculptures installed, paying homage to the fresh floral bouquets displayed upon the Frick's 1935 opening.
- The renovation project not only enriches the interior-design of the historic mansion but also enhances the lifestyle experience of visitors, offering state-of-the-art conservation facilities and comfortable seating in the auditorium.
