New York Public Library, Carnegie Branch Renovations

Revitalizing historic libraries for modern communities

Client: New York Public Library
Location: New York, United States
Size: 38,650 square feet (combined)
Status: Completed

In one of the most dynamic cities in the world, The New York Public Library (NYPL) Carnegie branches are vital resources for millions of people, serving as community hubs, respite from the elements and gateways to opportunity. With many of the branches built more than a century ago, this multi-branch renovation effort strikes a careful balance between preserving their historic exteriors and reinventing the interiors to meet the needs of today’s patrons.

The New York Public Library launched the Carnegie Renovation Program as part of an unprecedented capital investment to modernize five historic Carnegie libraries in under-resourced areas of Manhattan and Staten Island. Our team led the comprehensive renovation of three of those iconic branches: 125th Street Branch, Fort Washington Branch and Port Richmond Branch, with the first phase establishing program and design guidelines that NYPL can also leverage on future branches.

The Carnegie Legacy

In the early 1900s, New York City entered a public‑education and infrastructure partnership with industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. As part of the agreement, the Carnegie-funded libraries – 67 branches originally built – would share a distinct, recognizable architectural character. Most of the libraries were built in Beaux-Arts style reflecting the ideals of the City Beautiful movement.

Original architectural features of the Carnegie libraries included limestone or brick facades that lend a sense of permanence and pride. Large arched windows flooded reading rooms with natural light, while wide staircases led visitors to the main entrance. Still today, prominent building inscriptions proudly identify these structures as public libraries, most of which are intentionally situated to face the community.

A new ADA compliant accessible ramp was added to the front of the 125th Street branch that drew inspiration from the historic front stoops that were common during the time of the original construction.

With each branch serving as a unique architectural landmark with deep roots in its community, the renovation design goal was clear: to create inviting, modern and sustainable spaces that honor the Carnegie legacy by restoring and maintaining the distinctive character of the buildings, while thoughtfully introducing new elements to enhance function and comfort.

125th Street Branch

The 125th Street Branch renovation addressed outdated building systems — heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems — and improved technology, accessibility and programming to better support the Harlem community.

The result was a building that was designed not only to be responsible to the local community needs, but also responsible to the environment by incorporating triple pane wood windows, added building insulation, and energy efficient building systems to achieve a LEED Silver certification.

When entering the building, visitors step into a grand reading room that recreates the unique vaulted bay ceilings of the original space. Tall arched wood windows allow ample light to fill the room with natural light, while reflecting the character of the original design.

From the outset, it was essential that the design respects and enhances the original balance and clarity of its traditional spaces, while introducing new, flexible, media-rich areas that complement and build upon the historic reading room.

With this renovation, the lower-level community room now provides a flexible venue for hosting large gatherings with smaller meeting rooms adjacent to accommodate more intimate meetings. Free computers and internet access are available throughout the building, and patrons can explore innovative technologies — including 3D printers.

Terracotta arched floor slabs were retained and finished with acoustic plaster to control the acoustics of these open reading rooms.

The revitalized, original grand stair, that connects all the floors, is now complemented by two powerful murals by a local artist that adds to the patron’s experience as they navigate throughout the building.

The children's section features open, flexible play areas and computers dedicated to the library's youngest visitors.

The second floor is home to the children’s room and offers dedicated locations for group story time, play, and individualized reading. The former third-floor residence, which housed a live-in custodian decades ago, has been converted into a teen center, maximizing the tall clerestory windows to bring natural light deeper into this space.

The teen center has dedicated staff to guide and mentor teen patrons, as well as audiovisual equipment like Canon cameras, Macbook Airs, an expansive collection of college and career prep materials and more.

Fort Washington Branch

Fort Washington Library has been a civic pillar of the upper Manhattan community for over a century. The comprehensive renovation improved the accessibility and functionality of the 111-year-old building, which is now fully ADA-accessible with a newly installed elevator and entrance lift, and the addition of four bathrooms for a total of six. The renovation also restored the facade, upgraded technology throughout and installed energy-efficient windows and all new mechanical and electrical systems.

The revitalized branch now boasts dedicated floors for children, teens and adults, each of which include flexible programming spaces, curated collections and new furnishings to enhance the patron experience.

Located on the top floor, the custodial apartment that went unused for decades was converted it into a bright and expansive area for teens.

Adaptive spaces throughout the children's section are designed to provide the latest tech and inspire new readers to explore everything their library has to offer.

Using the new and renovated meeting spaces, the Fort Washington Branch will continue working with local community organizations to provide an array of social, legal, educational and career services. The library also plans to begin offering English as a second language classes and bilingual story times to help meet the needs of the community’s large Spanish-speaking population.

Port Richmond Branch

Port Richmond, like most of the branches improved under the Carnegie Branch Renovation Program, is more than a century old. The redesigned building is now more accessible, more spacious and better able to serve its patrons. The renovation aims to create an inclusive and comprehensive experience that serves a diverse range of patrons.

When entering into the building, patrons steps into a reading room that recreates the unique ceiling and dentil work of the original space. Tall arched wood windows allow ample light to fill the room with natural light, while reflecting the character of the original design.

The former second-floor residence has been converted into a dedicated mechanical area, eliminating the need for visible HVAC units in the front yard and preserving the building’s exterior appearance.

Historic details of the reading room ceilings were 3D-scanned to enable an accurate recreation of the original architectural elements, including the dentil moldings.

Upon entry, visitors see “Flying Minds,” a beautiful mural created by Greta McLain of Good Space Murals. Commissioned by NYPL through the Percent for Art program, McLain engaged the Port Richmond community through workshops and paint parties to collectively create this colorful, inspiring artwork.

To maximize public space, a community room was added along with dedicated areas for children, teens and adults, all of which come with new furnishings, finishes and book collections.

A newly constructed interior wood stair restores the lower-level auditorium as a community space and now integrates modern technology to host a variety of classes and events for the neighborhood.