Construction topped out on April 22 on the Tang Wing for American Democracy, a four-story expansion of the New York Historical at 170 Central Park West on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Designed by Robert A. M. Stern Architects, the 70,000-square-foot addition will yield new gallery spaces, classrooms, an outdoor courtyard, and a rooftop garden. The wing will house an expanded program for the Academy for American Democracy and also serve as the new home for the American LGBTQ+ Museum. It will also contain a compact storage facility for the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library collection. Turner Construction is the general contractor for the project, which is located on the southwest corner of the property along West 76th Street.
Recent photographs show the new steel and reinforced concrete superstructure completed and an American flag hanging from the northern end of the roof. Scaffolding and shoring are still in place to support the new floor plates as they settle, and crews were seen installing sections of the framework for the flat roof parapet. Façade installation has yet to begin.
170 Central Park West. Photo by Michael Young
170 Central Park West. Photo by Michael Young
170 Central Park West. Photo by Michael Young
170 Central Park West. Photo by Michael Young
170 Central Park West. Photo by Michael Young
170 Central Park West. Photo by Michael Young
170 Central Park West. Photo by Michael Young
170 Central Park West. Photo by Michael Young
170 Central Park West. Photo by Michael Young
170 Central Park West. Photo by Michael Young
The site was formerly occupied by an open-air lot fenced off by a brick wall, as seen in the below Google Street View image from before construction broke ground on September 14, 2021.
170 Central Park West. Image: Google
The rendering in the main photo looks northeast at the expansion showing a granite façade that matches the classic Roman Eclectic architectural style of the landmarked main building, which was designed by Walker & Gillette (1937-1938) and has served as the home of the Historical Society since 1908. The design was unanimously approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
The Academy for American Democracy is expected to increase the number of students in the Academy by tenfold, from 3,000 to 30,000 annually.
Rendering courtesy of The New York Historical Society.
The American LGBTQ+ Museum, which has been operating without a physical home, will occupy the top floor and feature two gallery spaces and a rooftop garden. The institution aims to preserve, investigate, and celebrate the dynamic histories and cultures of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people, and to advance LGBTQ+ equality through exhibitions and programming.
Rendering courtesy of The New York Historical Society.
Oscar Tang and Agnes Hsu-Tang helped to fund the project with a $20 million gift, completing fundraising for the $175 million expansion. Support also came from public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, by Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer, and from the New-York Historical Society’s Board of Trustees. Additional support was provided by Market New York through I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism as part of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.
The nearest subways from the property are the B and C trains at the 81st Street-Museum of Natural History station at the corner of Central Park West and West 81st Street.
The New York Historical’s new wing is anticipated to be completed next March, as noted on site.
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I am curious if the copper cheneau will be made in this country. Repairs to the Statue of Liberty required a French firm.
Is the museum currently open?
Is there a restaurant in the museum?
Are there places to sit in the museum?
Please let me know.
Thank you.
Amy Lee
Yes to all of the above.