New York, NY
USF [Unite to Save the Frick Coalition] and
SIFD [Stop Irresponsible Frick Development]
In 1914, architects Carrère & Hastings completed the design of Henry Clay Frick’s Fifth Avenue mansion, now home to the Frick Collection. In 2014, the museum announced grandiose plans for a 106-ft-high expansion that would replace a beloved Russell Page garden installed in 1977.
Two organizations formed to stop the outsized expansion. The earlier coalition, Unite to Save the Frick [USF], succeeded in stalling the project, forcing it to scale back. When the redesign was presented, SIFD [Stop Irresponsible Frick Development] attempted to derail this version, which exceeded the compromise.
Neither advocacy group opposed a modernization, just anything that would change the scale and intimate character of the landmarked complex and its masterful urban landscaping.
Both citizen organizations hired Helpern Architects to create a viable alternative. According to USF’s attorney, “Helpern Architects was our immediate choice … because of its ability to preserve and also modernize great historic properties, make use of overlooked space, and, equally useful, present the design concept compellingly.”
The goal was to create a counterplan that would preserve significant components of the Frick Collection site, modernize internally, identify and reconfigure underutilized space, and minimize any new building volume.
Working without the benefit of the Frick’s current floor plans or the program, Helpern relied on publicly available documents and people’s memory. They considered what must be preserved and what could be modified. Building down rather than up was one effective but unexplored option in the Frick’s proposal.
The flow and functionality of the complex was reorganized, galleries and the library connected, lower cellar level depressed to make it a usable space, and amenities such as a café, auditorium, galleries, and new views to the garden added.
David Helpern became the conceptual plan’s ambassador for public and media outreach. In a statement to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, David declared that “Many public comments have been focused on access, amenity, and functionality,” but not about the bulk and scale of the additions. Beguiling new drawings, he stated, “hide the fact that the Frick will lose its sense of place as one of the world’s great house museums.” He also called out the loss of the great circular Music Room and changes to ceilings, roofs, and windows.
In June 2015, in the face of broad criticism, the Frick withdrew its design. Architect’s Newspaper exclusively published Helpern’s drawings online as the result of USF’s campaign.
But in 2018, the Frick announced yet another plan … and SIFD/Stop Irresponsible Frick Development was formed. But it was too late.
The new expansion required zoning changes for its visible expansion. SIFD brought their contention to the Board of Standards and Appeals, usually the last resort. However, the BSA ruled in favor of the institution.
