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The New 2 Columbus Circle
By
Jen Chung
Published May 2, 2008
Modified May 2, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published May 2, 2008
Modified May 2, 2008
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Over the past few weeks, the Museum of Arts and Design has revealed its update for 2 Columbus Circle.
Regarded as controversial because it removed a distinctive facade created by Edward Durell Stone (the Landmarks Preservation Commission was not convinced to landmark it), the redesign shows off a sleek building in the same shape as the 1964 building, though some have noted a striking resemblance to a Bose music product.
You can delve into the building's transformation through an interactive feature from the NY Times, which also shows some terrific photographs of the original building (critically maligned when it was revealed), explains the building's engineering and pays tribute to the load-bearing "lollipop" pillars at the base. And the feature even explains why it looks like the new building says "HE."
The loss of the old Stone-designed building had upset many people, including the novelist Tom Wolfe, architect Robert A.M. Stern, artist Chuck Close and a bevy of architecture critics, and raised questions about the landmarks commission's decision-making. The Museum of Arts & Design isn't scheduled to open in its new home until September.
Tagged
2 Columbus Circle
architecture
brad cloepfil
design
edward durrell stone
museum of arts and design
redesign
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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