The Frick Collection is planned to reopen to the public on Thursday April 17, 2025, following a $330 million multi-year renovation and enhancement at 1 East 70th Street on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Designed by Selldorf Architects along with executive architect Beyer Blinder Belle, the project was the most comprehensive upgrade to the institution since its opening in 1935 and allows the public to explore more of the original Frick residence. The 196,000-square-foot complex is located along Fifth Avenue between East 70th and East 71st Streets.
The Frick Collection added 27,000 square feet of new construction to the already existing 60,000 square feet of the complex. The total construction cost of $330 million is made up of $220 million in hard costs (new construction, capital improvements, restoration, renovation, and infrastructure upgrades), soft costs, and funds supporting the institution’s temporary relocation to Frick Madison. With the majority of funds raised to date, the project is supported by the Campaign for the Frick, which includes gifts as well as board-designated funds.
Photo by Michael Young
The East 70th Street entrance. Photo by Nicholas Venezia.
The entrance hall. Photo by Nicholas Venezia.
Photo by Michael Young
Work on The Frick Collection included the restoration of the first-floor galleries, new ground-level special exhibition galleries, the Frick’s first dedicated education rooms, a new below-grade 218-seat auditorium called the Stephen A. Schwarzman Auditorium.
The lobby of The Stephen A. Schwarzman Auditorium. Photo by Nicholas Venezia.
The Stephen A. Schwarzman Auditorium. Photo by Nicholas Venezia.
A new marble staircase connects the James S. and Barbara N. Reibel Reception Hall with the Elizabeth M. and Jean-Marie R. Eveillard Hall, the latter of which is directly next to the second-floor museum gift shop. Also on the second level is a new cafe overlooking the 70th Street Garden.
Photo by Michael Young
The Elizabeth M. and Jean-Marie R. Eveillard Hall. Photo by Nicholas Venezia.
The museum gift shop. Photo by Nicholas Venezia.
Below are photographs of the Grand Stair Hall, located between the Entrance Hall and the Garden Court.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
The museum contains ten new gallery rooms and five additional passages on the second floor of the original Frick family home. These once served as the living quarters of the Frick family, as well as staff meeting rooms and administrative offices when the museum opened in 1935, and are being opened to the public for the first time. Items and artworks on display include refurbished clocks and watches, vases, chinaware, drawings, medals, paintings, restored chandeliers, and more.
Among the second-floor galleries is the Boucher Room, which has been moved from its previous location on the first floor to its original setting upstairs, in the former private sitting room of Adelaide Childs, Frick’s wife.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Additional restoration efforts were also undertaken to the exterior and interior of the Frick mansion. This included the recreation and installation of textiles and wall hangings manufactured by the same firms commissioned by the Frick family, and the preservation of elaborately carved wood paneling, decorative marble and plaster, bronze fixtures, and hardware.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
The project also included the restoration of the 70th Street Garden, originally designed by Russell Page in 1977. The space is now visible from multiple new vantage points throughout the building.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
The Frick Art Research Library, which was recently renamed from the Frick Art Reference Library, was founded more than 100 years ago by Helen Clay Frick, Henry Clay Frick’s daughter. Today it is a leading art history research center that serves students, scholars, and the public. The library’s refurbished reading rooms will also reopen concurrently with the museum, with new entry points for more efficient navigation. Operating hours are Monday through Friday from 11:00AM to 6:00PM with no appointment necessary. Registration is required.
The Frick Collection originally opened in 1935 by Henry Clay Frick, who bequeathed his Fifth Avenue home and collection of European paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts for the enjoyment of the public. The museum’s holdings, which encompass masterworks from the Renaissance through the late nineteenth century, have grown over the decades, more than doubling in number since the opening of the museum.
Currently on display across the entire museum are numerous life-like floral sculptures by Ukrainian artist Vladamir Kanevsky titled “Porcelain Garden,” which can be viewed until October 6, 2025. Visitors can grab a pamphlet in the reception hall that lists out the location of every porcelain sculpture.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
The nearest subways from the museum are the 6 train at the 68th Street-Hunter College station along Lexington Avenue and the Q train at the 72nd Street station on Second Avenue.
Operating hours of The Frick Collection are Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11:00AM to 6:00PM; and Friday from 11:00AM to 9:00PM. The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays as well as holidays. There is a pay-what-you-wish admission offered on Wednesdays from 2:00PM to 6:00PM.
Starting June 23, the site will be open six days a week (except Tuesdays) on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday to Sunday from 11:00AM to 6:00PM, and Friday from 11:00AM to 9:00PM.
Timed entry tickets are required in advance and can be purchased on the museum’s website. No children under the age of ten are admitted to the museum.
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The Frick is one of our prime examples of the craftsmanship of the Gilded Age. It has had a number of additions over the years, but these have generally risen to the level of the original structure. The relatively recent garden was so beloved by neighbors that there was great opposition to using the space for expansion.
Most changes seem acceptable. My only complaint is the necessary, but utilitarian, stairway that have been gussied up with marble—lipstick on a pig.
Henry Clay Frick, one of the worst people who ever lived. Responsible for Pinkertons killing strikers, and a key player in the club that refused to spend money to maintain a private dam, leading to the Johnstown Flood that killed 2,200.
And also the collector of arguable the finest private art collection in the world.
This museum is an absolute treasure.
Well said! Separate the museum from the man
WOW! Always loved the Frick, but now I can’t wait to see the second floor and explore! Gorgeous photos
Fabulous and excited to visit this Thursday!!
Lovely photos and everything looks so beautiful!!!
Beautiful photographs, renovation is spectacular!
It’s been years since my last visit so I’m very excited to revisit once again in May. Looking forward to seeing the never seen upstairs. A true architectural and art treasure.
Nice photographs Mr. Young!!!
Morgan Library is another notable mansion, holding small concerts as well as a casual and dress up restaurant. Frick’s auditorium is not notable-looking and jarringly modern, in fact.
Finnnnnalllyyyy!