FACING OPPOSITION, FRICK MUSEUM SCRAPS RENOVATION PLAN

Facing widespread criticism over a proposed renovation that would have created a six-story addition in place of its current, gated garden, the Frick Collection has decided to scrap those plans, according to the New York Times_’ Robin Pogrebin.

A group called Unite to save the Frick—which included everyone from Robert A.M. Stern to Maya Lin, as well as several former commissioners of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission—had formed in opposition to the proposed renovation. Designed by Davis Brody Bond, the proposed plans would have resulted in more exhibition space, upstairs rooms made to the public, and views of Central Park from a new roof garden. Last month, the Municipal Art Society also declared its intention to publicly oppose any expansion plan.

“It just became clear to us that it wasn’t going to work,” said a museum official who chose to remain anonymous. “There was just a number of voices out there and we heard them.”