The immediate question for many visitors is, “Where are the books?” They are indeed present, though in a more curated collection than one might expect. The 53rd Street Library exemplifies a contemporary shift in library design, moving towards becoming digital resource hubs and vibrant community gathering spaces, rather than solely repositories for vast book collections.
However, the narrative of the 53rd Street branch also highlights the difficult decisions faced by civic and cultural institutions within intensely competitive urban real estate markets. This seemingly compact, single-story structure replaces an entire five-story building – the venerable Donnell Branch of the New York Public Library (NYPL). The Donnell Branch, a limestone-clad building dating back to 1955, was demolished in 2011. The new 53rd Street Library, a sleek and modern 28,000-square-foot facility, is considerably smaller than its 97,000-square-foot predecessor. This significant reduction in size has sparked both interest and some public dissent.
In 2007, facing financial pressures, the NYPL recognized the escalating real estate value of the Donnell site. Its location, directly opposite the ever-expanding Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), made it a prime piece of Midtown Manhattan real estate. MoMA itself had previously sold land in 2006 to bolster its finances, where a residential tower by Ateliers Jean Nouvel is currently under construction. Following suit, the NYPL decided to sell its Donnell Branch property, with the condition that a smaller branch library could be leased back within the new development. This decision predated the global economic downturn of 2008.
The initial buyer withdrew during the 2008 recession, initiating an eight-year period where local residents and office workers were left without a conveniently located branch library, relying on a temporary facility on East 46th Street. In 2011, a new deal was finalized for $67.4 million with Tribeca Associates and Starwood Capital. Despite this progress, the plans for the new 53rd Street Library were met with concern by many in the community. The reduced size and the location of the reading rooms – two levels below ground within the reinforced-concrete structure of the hotel and residential tower – were points of contention.
Architect Enrique Norten faced the challenge of creating an inviting library environment within a subterranean space. His design solution centered around the amphitheater, which acts as a “continuous topography,” connecting the underground levels with the street level. Norten, whose firm has offices in both New York and Mexico City, drew inspiration from Rome’s Spanish Steps. He aimed to “negotiate the different levels of the city outside and in,” fostering an “energy between the people on the street and the users within.” To maximize natural light penetration into the main underground level, Norten incorporated not only a glazed facade at street level but also a skylight and strategically placed openings in the lobby floor. This allows daylight to filter down into the lower levels of the 53rd Street Library.
Visitors entering the 53rd Street Library from 53rd Street find themselves in a lobby that wraps around the impressive amphitheater, a space reaching 34 feet in height. Elevators at the rear of the lobby provide access to the lower levels. A grand staircase along the west wall of the amphitheater seating descends 17 feet to the main reading room. This 11,000-square-foot level houses books, desks, and computers, extending throughout the space. It also includes an enclosed community room, designed with acoustically paneled walls and capable of accommodating 120 people. A second, airy staircase, featuring glass balustrades and open risers, leads down to areas designed for young adults, as well as an enclosed children’s reading room situated beneath the amphitheater.
The amphitheater itself is a dynamic and active space within the 53rd Street Library. A video screen, positioned under the glass wall facing 53rd Street, is equipped with headsets, enabling people to gather and watch events without disturbing other library users. This area also functions as a flexible space where visitors can eat lunch – notably, food is permitted within the library – or attend performances, lectures, and film screenings, often without headsets, during after-hours events. The prominence of the amphitheater clearly signals the 53rd Street Library’s role as more than just a traditional library; it is a vital community center.
While the former Donnell Branch was highly valued for its world-languages center and its media and children’s collections – now distributed throughout the NYPL system – its facilities had become outdated. The Donnell’s interiors, characterized by harsh fluorescent lighting and worn wooden furniture, are unlikely to be missed. In contrast, the 53rd Street Library presents a significant upgrade in atmosphere. Its sleek, crisp design, featuring laminated-glass, oak, and metal surfaces, offers a modern and inviting environment. Considering the programmatic challenges, spatial limitations, and its basement setting, the architect has successfully created an appealing civic space. The 53rd Street Library is unexpectedly bright and welcoming, a testament to innovative design in a challenging urban context.
