Scott Russell
Principal, Americas West Leader,Los Angeles
In April 2018, The Frick Collection unveiled plans for its first comprehensive upgrade since the museum and library opened in 1935. The design is by Annabelle Selldorf, the blue-chip architect behind the Neue Galerie in New York (which, like the Frick, was designed in 1914 by Carrère and Hastings); the Clark Art Institute, and LUMA Arles, a new center for contemporary art in Arles, France. Beyer Blinder Belle is acting as Executive Architect.
The project will offer more public access to the historic home by opening nearly the entirety of the second floor rooms that were once the private living quarters of the Frick family. It will allow presentation of more of the permanent collection in these newly created galleries. It will also improve facilities for special exhibitions and conservation, while providing upgraded visitor amenities, including ADA access. To better accommodate the Frick’s programs, the project will create a 220-seat auditorium and a main-floor education center.
The contemplative atmosphere of the Frick’s beloved main-floor galleries will not change, and the 70th Street Garden, which becomes a visual centerpiece of the project, will be restored in keeping with the vision of Russell Page. The project also encompasses critical infrastructure and systems upgrades with the goal of safeguarding the institution and its collections for future generations.
Arup is providing acoustic, audiovisual, theatre, and façade consulting for the project.
To learn more, visit www.frickfuture.org