The New 2 Columbus Circle

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.

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By Jen Chung in Arts and Events on May 2, 2008 9:14 AM

Comments [rss]

Allencena

I like both designs but nothing can match old one that was outstanding.

____________________________________

Allen

Wide Circles

sonyactivision

It was a retarded piece of shit then, and it's an even more retarded piece of shit now. Only the names and faces of the guilty have changed.

Kingpin

rarelement, nobody's saying the city can't grow, but that some of it's past should be preserved. My brother has often said that New York looks and feels like the oldest city in the US, where even if it isn't the oldest it seems to be one of the few with history on display all over the place... and that also goes for future history. Whilst there's a few buildings that we all consider ugly that one day will likely be landmarked, it seems to me that not enough is done to keep some reminders for future generations in the pursuit of more luxury condos and flashy storefronts.

EastRiver, you point about having a use is valid... I wasn't aware that they were actually having trouble seeking tenants to take the place over, although whilst I'm having difficulty thinking of a use for the building that doesn't need much natural light, I'm sure someone will probably come up with one.

PKinNYC

wow an ultra-modern building that says 'HE' on it???

rarelement

Context. Preservation is good but not great. It looks better across from the new towers and the Steelcase building than the EDS building did. Why doesn't anyone want to let this city grow?

EastRiver

but frankly it should have been kept as it was.

Which raises the question, what do you do with a building nobody wants? By that I mean it was sitting empty and nobody wanted to use the building for any purpose. Kingpin brings up Penn Station but at least Penn Station was a useful building. Almost every other building that has been landmarked ends up being used for something whether it is commercial or residential or cultural purposes.

That said, this new design blows.

lanciano

i can't beleive that this hideous, unfinished looking design was approved.

the old one wasn't pretty, but it made more sense than this.

chuzzlewit

the carrere and hastings building behind no.2 would give up and walk away if it had feet

rtd2101

Booooooo!

Kingpin

The old one was by no means beautiful in comparison to some of New York's greatest architectural triumphs, but frankly it should have been kept as it was.

It's not the same sort of level of loss as the original Penn Station was, but this new design, like the new Penn Station is hardly an improvement.

schizofriendly

Half-assed modernism replaced by half-assed post-modernism.

LOL!

janelle

this is depressing. i am generally a fan of cloepfil's work, but this? no. no. no.

JenChungsBaby

That building always did and still will look like one of those air intakes structures for the Lincoln or Holland tunnels. They should just nuke it and start over, OR keep the old facade and cover it with some really cool and colorful tile mosaic.

Pbobko

It's actually a gigantic model for the new waste basket from Home Ideas. That's why you find the letters H and I on either side of the building facade. Home Ideas is better known by its acronym H i .

From the web site: "The revolutionary new trash receptacle has been designed for home or office use. Trash removal--no problem, it can be opened using its hinged doors. Vents on the side are to allow for quick and easy installation of one of the many home or office air deodorizers found at you local retail market."

I believe that Home Ideas my be owned by the Bose corporation but I'm not sure...you'd have to check on that.

Snoopy

I heard the architect did it for free.

tsol

Half-assed modernism replaced by half-assed post-modernism.

Gregoire

I agree with the general consensus -- which of Cinderella's ugly step-sisters is your favorite? At least they've aimed low.

JoeSchumacher

yes, but it is a different kind of ugly.

mocanlagunas

old one: ugly

new one: ugly also...

Anyway, I hope they'll have a free nights or pay what you wish...

Tim N.

Sure glad it's not ugly anymore.

(That's sarcasm, folks.)

MFer

Take a look at the old facade again. That ain't no beaut. It was lifeless and oppressive. The lack of grace extended into the interior, which had as much charm as a nuclear war bunker.

Some people just like to complain about change. The building should have been demolished. As it is (windowless and all) it will probably serve it job well as a museum. And only that.

And Tom Wolfe is, as always, an idiot in a white suit.

jazlow

UGLY UGLY UGLY!

Why spend all that money to make an ugly building even UGLIER! It's just awful. When completed it will easily be the ugliest building in the city and an absolute eyesore for Columbus Circle.

ed_Extinct

the old is just as ugly as the new. they should have left this prize in its place:

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/I?fsaall,app,brum,detr,swann,look,gottscho,pan,horyd,genthe,var,cai,cd,hh,yan,bbcards,lomax,ils,prok,brhc,nclc,matpc,iucpub,tgmi,lamb:8:./temp/~pp_nlzx::displayType=1:m856sd=cph:m856sf=3b21904:@@@mdb=fsaall,app,brum,detr,swann,look,gottscho,pan,horyd,genthe,var,cai,cd,hh,yan,bbcards,lomax,ils,prok,brhc,nclc,matpc,iucpub,tgmi,lamb

matty

I like it.

John Del Signore

Ugh what an bland eyesore. I've got to agree with Wolfe on this one.

WesTheYeTi

Yakatori, you're right. Both designs are FUGLY.

drewo

Way back in the day, the alcove areas at the base of the original building served as a good loitering spot for drug dealers and other shady West 58th St.-type characters. As a student at nearby Fordham at Lincoln Center, it was a very convenient spot to score weed, while going to and from the train.

Ah, the good old days.

Snoopy

The new design will grow old real fast. Bring back the doge palace.

zodak

you said it yakatori!

the only time when the stupid landmarks preservation commission should landmark something & they don't. idiots.

at least this will get rid of the urine stained homeless people who are always around there.

mlc

Though the building was not torn down completely, everything identifiable about it was removed in favor of non-specific, pseudo-Piano-ian design. Why is NYC so good at doing away with its few iconic structures?

yakatori

Now why would I want to spend my money on the admission price to this Museum, when it's directors don't have the design sense to leave a classic building alone let alone rape it the way they did. I mean the new design looks like shelving units in some cheap T-shirt shop. I say go to hell Museum of Art & Design

Headzo

sorry. my suggestion is to never view it aerially from the northwest side.

Headzo

I'm seeing an HE on the front and then an IL on the side.

Heil Art! Heil Design!

ed_Extinct

the idea is, i think, that all the outer tiles of the new design are terracotta and when illuminated from within with lighting, the building will have a slight glow to it and the latter building will be visible as a ghost...

very interesting