Before and after photos show New York Public Library’s $200M renovation

The New York Public Library just got a whole lot of TLC. 

The $200million renovation of its biggest branch, on 40th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, was finally revealed at a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, after roughly four years of construction. 

Before and after photos obtained by DailyMail.com show the library’s complete facelift and new features, which include a 42-foot atrium, rooftop terrace and floor-to-ceiling shelves for 400,000 books.

The library, renamed the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL), boasts 44,000-square-feet of open, general public library space with double the seating as its original model.

The 180,000-square-foot building was constructed between 1914 and 1915 as the department store Arnold Constable & Co. Architect T. Joseph Bartley designed the limestone-clad building with a granite base and neoclassical commercial expression.

The New York Public Library took over the building in 1970 and occupied all floors by 1976. Two years later, Italian architect Giorgio Caviglieri renovated the space, but it never quit shook the layout and appearance of department store – until now.

One of the building’s main features is the ‘Long Room,’ a five-level space for book browsing complete with a 42-foot high atrium

Before and after photos show New York Public Library’s dramatic $200M renovation with 1978 interiors transformed into a bright space with 400,000 books, a 42-ft atrium (pictured) and rooftop terrace

The $200 million renovation of the New York Public Library’s biggest branch, on 40th Street and Fifth Avenue, reopened with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday. Pictured: The entryway before renovation
The library, renamed the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL), features 44,000-square-feet of open, general public library space with double the seating as its original model

The $200million renovation of its biggest branch, on 40th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, was finally revealed at a ribbon cutting on Tuesday. Pictured: The entryway of the building before (left) and after (right) the transformation

Part of the renovations included transforming a lower level that was once unused into the library's first dedicated space for children and teenagers
Patrons could use programming spaces, podcasting studios, reading alcoves and a book sorter that uses a conveyor belt to reorganize materials after they’re taken off the shelves

Renovations include the library’s first dedicated section geared toward children and teenagers, at 26,000-square feet

The New York Public Library transformed the pictured roof into a public rooftop terrace
The library's new rooftop terrace is set to open at a to-be-determined date

One of the main features of the renovated library is a public rooftop terrace 

One of the building’s main features is the ‘Long Room,’ a five-level space for book browsing complete with a 42-foot high atrium; two connected floors of classrooms, education and programming spaces; meeting rooms and consultation rooms.

The new 21,000-square-foot Thomas Yoseloff Business Center, named for the grandfather of NYPL Trustee Anthony Yoseloff, offers patrons access to electronic resources like the Bloomberg Terminals, in-person programs, classes, one-on-one sessions, offerings in the fields of personal finance and investing, small business resources, business and financial research and career services. The Thomas Yoseloff Business Center opened for appointments last month.

Renovations also include the library’s first dedicated section geared toward children and teenagers, at 26,000-square feet. Patrons could use programming spaces, podcasting studios, reading alcoves and a book sorter that uses a conveyor belt to reorganize materials after they’re taken off the shelves.

And at 20,000-square-feet, the new Pasculano Learning Center is the library’s first center for adult education.

The 180,000-square-foot building was constructed between 1914 and 1915 as the department store Arnold Constable & Co
The new renovations mark the library's first transformation since 1978

The 180,000-square-foot building was constructed between 1914 and 1915 as the department store Arnold Constable & Co. It is pictured above in  the early 20th century (left) and in 2021 (right)

Millions of patrons have relied on the New York Public Library since its inception in 1970
Construction on the library's first complete renovation began in 2017

Before and after photos reveal the difference in design and aesthetic from the New York Public Library to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library

In 2014, the library’s leadership secured $150million in city funding to begin a complete transformation.
Architect Francine Houben explained that she wanted to create a solution for housing hundreds of thousands of books while concurrently providing a comforting and inspiring atmosphere

 In 2014, the library’s leadership secured $150million in city funding to begin a complete transformation

During its construction, developers took advantage of never-before-used building features like its roof
Houben created what she calls the ‘Wizard’s Hat,’ a sculpted, painted and perforated metal structure that enshrouds the library’s seventh floor

A standout architectural feature of the newly renovated library is what Houben calls the ‘Wizard’s Hat’ 

In 2014, the library’s leadership secured $150million in city funding to begin a complete transformation. The project gained another $55million as a grant paid by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

In 2015, Dutch architect Francine Houben, of the architecture group Mecanoo, came on as the designer with Beyer Blinder Belle, a Manhattan-based architecture firm. 

They collaborated with the library’s leadership and, for over a year, conducted interviews with staff, patrons and community stakeholders to create a spacious, bright and functional environment.

‘Libraries are incredibly unique spaces, houses of knowledge and creation that must inspire, welcome, and serve all,’ Houben said. 

‘In this case, we were entrusted with a historic building in New York City, one that receives millions of visits every year but was never built to be a library. 

‘We needed to take the bones of that building and reimagine the ultimate library: certainly beautiful and filled with light, but above all able to meet the ever-changing needs of the institution and the New Yorkers it serves.’

Houben explained that she wanted to create a solution for housing hundreds of thousands of books while concurrently providing a comforting and inspiring atmosphere. 

The stand-out architectural feature is what Houben calls the ‘Wizard’s Hat,’ a sculpted, painted and perforated metal structure that enshrouds the library’s seventh floor.

‘We created a welcoming public space that will be beautiful and functional now and 100 years from now,’ she added. ‘There is something to inspire every visitor in the most diverse city in the world, and I am proud of that.’

Construction on the building broke ground in 2017 and the library was set to open in May 2020 to coincide with the library’s 125th anniversary

Construction on the building broke ground in 2017 and the library was set to open in May 2020 to coincide with the library’s 125th anniversary

The coronavirus pandemic delayed construction and, last July, the library only opened its first floor for use as a grab-and-go book checkout service

The coronavirus pandemic delayed construction and, last July, the library only opened its first floor for use as a grab-and-go book checkout service

At 20,000-square-feet, the new Pasculano Learning Center is the library’s first center for adult education

At 20,000-square-feet, the new Pasculano Learning Center is the library’s first center for adult education

The library features 44,000-square-feet of open, general public library space with double the seating as its original model

The library features 44,000-square-feet of open, general public library space with double the seating as its original model

One of the building’s main features is the ‘Long Room,’ a five-level space for book browsing complete with a 42-foot atrium

One of the building’s main features is the ‘Long Room,’ a five-level space for book browsing complete with a 42-foot atrium

Patrons could use programming spaces, podcasting studios and reading alcoves

Patrons could use programming spaces, podcasting studios and reading alcoves

The library is open on Monday to Thursday, from 10am to 8pm, and Friday and Saturday, from 10am to 6pm

The library is open on Monday to Thursday, from 10am to 8pm, and Friday and Saturday, from 10am to 6pm

Construction on the building broke ground in 2017 and the library was set to open in May 2020 to coincide with the library’s 125th anniversary. 

However, the coronavirus pandemic delayed construction and, last July, the library only opened its first floor for use as a grab-and-go book checkout service.

A ribbon cutting on June 1 celebrated the library’s official reopening. It’s now open on Monday to Thursday, from 10am to 8pm, and Friday and Saturday, from 10am to 6pm. 

There are still no in-person programs and the Pasculano Learning Center and rooftop terrace will open at a to-be-determined date.

‘It is the central circulating library New York City has long needed, wanted, and deserves,’ said Library President Anthony W. Marx. 

‘As we all look towards our next chapter of recovery and renewal, it is important that learning and opportunity be readily and freely accessible to all. There is no more important or better-timed civic infrastructure project to accomplish those ever present and pressing goals.’