The New York Public Library (Stephen A. Schwarzman Building)

*Set back a considerable distance from Fifth Avenue, this handsome building is placed behind a long terrace extending the full length of the Fifth Avenue side. Flanked by the famous lions, broad steps lead to this terrace separated from the street by a raised parapet wall and a landscaped enclosure. A handsome low-rise flight of steps leads to the imposing entrance dominated by a superb central pavilion with a deep set triple arched portico embellished with coupled Corinthian columns. Surmounting the colonnade is an attic wall with six sculptured figures standing on the ledge of the ornately decorated cornice extending the full length of the building. On either side of the central pavilion wall niches contain sculptured figures above fountains, and five arched windows alternate with fluted Corinthian columns. The building terminates with the excellently proportioned pedimented end pavilions.

This building comes closer than any other in America to the complete realization of Beaux Arts design at its best. It has somehow managed to keep that light airy quality, so often seen only in architectural drawings, so rarely achieved in execution.

*Excerpt from the The New York Public Library Designation Report

The New York Public Library (Stephen A. Schwarzman Building) is also an interior landmark

STATUS Designated Exterior and Interior Landmark

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Midtown is home to some of the city's most iconic buildings, including the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and the headquarters of the United Nations, as well as the Rockefeller Center, Broadway, and Times Square. Midtown is sometimes split into three sections including Midtown...

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Landmark Activity

Mar 6, 2019

Victory at NYPL: Vive les Beaux Arts!

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Feb 19, 2019

HDC@LPC – Testimony for LPC Hearing on February 19, 2019

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Local Voices

“I don’t know what the City would be without HDC. [They] testified before LPC time after time and helped us focus on the right issues. We would not be an historic district without HDC! ”

Doreen Gallo: DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance

Local Voices

“Use HDC as a resource because they know what they are doing and can offer advice on how to go about creating a district from every front: architectural, political, LPC, and the media. I had floundered prior to my involvement with this invaluable organization.”

Fern Luskin: Lamartine Place Historic District; Friends of Lamartine Place & Gibbons Underground Railroad Site

Local Voices

“HDC provided guidance and shared information during that process—we knew which Council members were going one way or another and we changed a few minds. I don’t think NoHo would have had as cohesive a district had it not been for HDC’s aid.”

Zella Jones: NoHo Historic District; NoHo East; and NoHo Extension

Local Voices

“I remember Richard saying at a meeting, we have someone here from HDC, Nadezhda Williams, Director of Preservation and Research, to help us. She said to us, ‘You are not the only ones going through this.’ HDC included us in an enormous community”

Erika Petersen: West End Preservation Society

Local Voices

"HDC has begun a series of projects to highlight the Bronx's architectural and cultural history. From booklet's and research highlighting specific sites and historic districts to the HDC's symposium in October 2018 to the latest community-based committee to look into further possible sites to qualify for landmarking, the HDC has established projects that will serve the Bronx community well."

Elena Martinez
City Lore, Folklorist
Bronx Music Heritage Center, Co-Artistic Director

Local Voices

"Welcome2TheBronx is grateful for the advocacy done by the Historic Districts Council on behalf of the people of The Bronx. Through their deep connections and understanding of the importance of preserving our local histories, The Bronx has been able to have several spotlights shown on endangered communities as gentrification creeps into the borough."

Ed García Conde,
founder and Executive Director,
Welcome2TheBronx

Nearby + Similar Buildings

Designated Exterior and Interior Landmark

The New York Public Library (Stephen A. Schwarzman Building)

Manhattan