KRJDA restored the six-story Warburg Mansion, on the northeast corner of Fifth Avenue and 92nd Street and added a new seven-story wing on the north. Rather than contrasting with the historic building, KRJDA felt the new construction should be in concert with the historic aesthetic of the existing structure. The extension along Fifth Avenue is the same height as the existing mansion and is built in the same style, the French Renaissance of Francois I. The resulting expanded seven-story museum is an impressive French Gothic chateau, its unified appearance achieved by the continuity of materials and features which distinguish C.P.H. Gilbert's 1908 design.
KRJDA’s design and layout for the Jewish Museum achieved the Museum's goals of providing efficient, flexible space for this, the largest and most important institution of its kind in the western hemisphere—its treasures include more than 14,000 works of art and artifacts covering 3,000 years of Jewish history.
The formal 92nd Street entrance to the Warburg Mansion has been restored and is used as the museum's entrance. The interiors were renovated and designed for changing galleries, bookshop, reception hall, and a performance space for 228. Having coordinated with exhibit planners, two stories of permanent exhibitions of Jewish life over 3,000 years have been provided. Meeting rooms and study areas in addition to offices were also provided. Renovated space includes galleries, bookshop and reception hall, curatorial and administrative offices.
The expansion successfully acquired approval from Community Board #8, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, City Planning Commission Board of Estimate, and Board of Standards and Appeals. The building received the Artisanship and Restoration Award from the Friends of the Upper East Side in 1993.
Client: The Jewish Museum
Location: New York, NY
Completion Date: 1993
Size: 85,000 Square Feet