Возрождение знакового места - Главная библиотека города Нью-Йорка

Within these pages I hope to inform the reader of the processes and the facts surrounding the very first restoration of the New York Public Library, main branch, located at 5th Avenue and 42nd Street. I, having been made aware recently that not many people know how the Beaux-Arts Classical building transitioned from an outstanding, highly detailed work of classical architecture with magnificent spaces originally used for exhibits and other grand public use were converted for use as back-office areas and storage rooms. From the great depression and particularly during and following WWII, this library building was seriously underfunded. It was also used for the war efforts, especially the Map room. These beautiful spaces went from works of art, to your typical everyday office space, or large storage facilities. There was no regard for the existing materials and fine craftsmanship when the rooms were changed. Destruction occurred at every level to the original materials and finishes. Given very small budgets, limited time frames, working room by room, area by area with the perfect team of professionals we set out to start the beginning of a major restoration project that would grow from a measly 1-million-dollar budget to almost 1 billion dollars of work to this very day. This is how it all started……. rolling back the clock to 1983……..