Local groups are pushing for landmark status for a unique building on the Upper East Side. The building once housed the Whitney Museum and later became known as the MET Breuer. Now, auction house Sotheby’s plans to take over the space. Many people fear that changes may harm the building’s original look and feel. They want to protect parts of the inside before any major renovations start.
The building at 945 Madison Avenue stands out with its bold brutalist design. Its outside is already safe because it is in the Upper East Side Historic District. However, the inside is not protected. This means that when Sotheby’s makes changes, the original work by architect Marcel Breuer might be lost. Preservationists worry that new owners will change key spaces in ways that do not respect the building’s past.
A group called Docomomo US has led a request to the Landmarks Preservation Commission. They say that the building’s interior is one of the best examples of modern design in the city. They point to the open floor plans, the unique overhead lights, and the flow of public spaces that make the building special. In a 45-page document, they ask that these important areas be given landmark status. They hope this will stop any changes that might harm the original design.
Many local groups support the push for protection. The Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts, New York Landmarks Conservancy, and the Preservation League of New York State are among those joining the effort. They believe that preserving this building will help keep New York’s modern history alive. They argue that this work is important for the culture of the city.
Sotheby’s bought the building from the Whitney Museum for $100 million in 2023. The auction house plans to turn the space into a venue for auctions, galleries, and exhibitions. Renovations are set to begin later this year and are expected to be done by the fall. The project is led by the well-known firm Herzog & de Meuron. Jacques Herzog has said that the work will honor the original design while updating the space for modern use. He mentioned that lost spaces would be revived and new spaces would be added carefully. He said the goal is to make the building more accessible for visitors and locals.
However, if the building is given landmark status, any changes will need the commission’s approval. This could slow down the work. LPC Commissioner Jeanne Lutfy said she was surprised that the building had not yet been protected. She believes the building is very important to New York’s history and culture. Many people see it as a symbol of modern architecture that stands apart from the older rowhouses around it.
The building was completed in 1966 as a new home for the Whitney Museum. It housed the museum’s modern art collection until the museum moved to a new location in the Meatpacking District in 2014. After that, the space was used to temporarily display collections from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Frick Museum. Over the years, the building has played many roles and holds a rich history of art and design.
A public hearing on the possible landmark status has not been set yet. It is expected to be scheduled early in 2025. This hearing will give local residents and interested groups a chance to share their thoughts on the building’s future. The decision could affect how the space is changed in the coming months.
The fight to protect this building is about more than just one structure. It is a struggle to keep an important piece of New York’s modern history safe. Local groups hope that the landmark status will ensure that the original design survives. They believe that the building should be used in a way that respects its past. Many in the community feel that preserving this space will set a good example for other historic sites in the city. The outcome of this effort may shape how New York looks and feels in the years to come.
