In 1929 Mayor James Walker laid the Museum’s cornerstone and launched the construction of the Museum’s landmark Georgian Revival building, which was made possible by gifts from 1,329 New Yorkers. The next step took 77 years to make, but on August 2nd, 2006, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg broke ground for the Museum’s first Expansion and Renovation Project, a three phase, $80 million effort to secure the Museum’s future.           

The Museum of the City of New York’s building has been largely unaltered since 1932, and the lifespan of the Museum's collections have been seriously compromised by the lack of appropriate environmental systems. As a proper steward of the City’s rich cultural heritage, the Museum has embarked on a three-phase project designed by Polshek Partnership Architects to expand and renovate the Fifth Avenue physical plant by 2012, creating new exhibition and program space and upgrading the entire facility. The Museum will remain open throughout construction and renovation.

To date, the City of New York, the Museum’s Board of Trustees, and many generous donors have contributed more than $50 million to the first two phases of the Expansion and Renovation Campaign. The Museum is committed to raising the balance needed for Phases II and III and an additional $8 million for endowment and welcomes the participation of the community in this extraordinary effort.  A variety of naming opportunities are available to recognize donor generosity.

Phase I

Now underway, Phase I of the project comprises 23,000 square feet of new space including:

• The Museum’s first climate-controlled gallery
• A restored and updated lobby with enhanced visitor amenities
• A renovation and restoration of the Fifth Avenue Terrace to improve visitor access
• A crucially needed climate-controlled curatorial center to preserve the Museum’s precious collections

Phase I construction is scheduled to be completed in April 2008.

Phases II and III

In Phases II and III, the plan to renovate and update the facility will organize the building into coherent zones, separating public and private spaces.  Galleries will be on floors one through three and curatorial and administrative offices on floors four and five. The renovation will provide the Museum with updated and expanded climate-control systems.

 

Phases II and III of the project will be built to ensure that the building receives the silver certification of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, the national benchmark for high performance green buildings. For more information on LEED, visit the U.S. Green Building Council.

Endowment Campaign

$8,000,000 will be raised for general endowment to secure the Museum’s future and preserve New York City’s unique heritage.

 

The success of the Expansion and Renovation Project will ensure that the City's extraordinary heritage is available to inspire, entertain, and educate future generations.  Help us build a Museum for the 21st Century by making an online gift to our Expansion and Renovation Project.

 

Click here for a list of available naming opportunities associated with the Museum's Expansion and Renovation project. 

 

For more information or to make a gift, please contact Susan Madden, Vice President of Development, at (212) 534-1672 x3303 or info@mcny.org.