NYPL Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library

The Mid-Manhattan Library (MML), originally built in 1914-15 as a department store, is New York Public Library’s largest circulating branch library. Although NYPL established full occupancy of the structure in 1970, the interior still had constraints related to the space’s original functions. One major goal of this renovation project was to add 35% more public space to the building, which receives approximately 1.7 million visits every year. Work at the site fell into two main categories: renovations within the six-story existing structure and a three-story vertical addition with an angular aluminum roof. The signature feature of the renovation is the Long Room, which contains the library stacks and meeting rooms.

This alteration required the demolition of the third and fourth floor slabs at the east side of the building, which were replaced with four new framing levels for the stacks. The floor slabs adjacent to the Long Room were removed at consecutive levels to create a multi-level open space.

Reinforcements of the existing roof framing at various locations support the loading of the new vertical addition. The addition itself was designed on a platform of new steel supported on new columns that align with the existing column locations. The floors and sloping roof are supported in large part by a combination of steel brace frames, moment frames, and trusses, concealed within the finishes and the mechanical service levels above.

Project Highlights: 

• Bridges connect the main floor levels to the tiered levels of the Long Room.
•  To allow for large open spaces, the steel-framed addition has columns spaced 20’-60’ apart.