New York City museum abandons expansion plan amid opposition
Jun 4, 2015, 7:19 AM
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s Frick Collection has abandoned plans for an expansion that would have replaced the museum’s garden and reception pavilion with a six-story addition.
The museum announced the decision Thursday. It said it will develop a new plan that will preserve the garden.
The Frick is housed in a landmarked Fifth Avenue mansion.
A coalition of preservationists, artists, architects and historians opposed the proposal. They said it would destroy the museum’s residential character.
The Frick maintained that the expansion was needed for its growing collection, attendance and programs.
The Reception Hall Pavilion and East 70th Street garden were added in 1977 after the museum razed three adjacent row houses. They had planned to build an addition on the site but postponed the project due to lack of funding.
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