CARNEGIE HALL

location | Midtown, New York

date | 2022 - 2023

office | WJE, Engineers and architects

Constructed in 1891, Carnegie Hall is one of New York City’s most iconic performance venues and a masterpiece of late 19th-century architecture. The façade restoration project encompassed all elevations of the building and required the replacement of deteriorated brick with artisan-crafted brick designed to match the original’s distinct coloration and metallic speckle. A major component was the terra cotta replacement effort, as many original elements, some lacking anchorage or with severely corroded supports, had to be entirely reconstructed and properly secured.

A meticulous mortar replacement process was also undertaken, where we investigated the original pre-Portland lime composition. Extensive testing and collaboration with the Landmarks Preservation Commission and Janney Technical Center ensured that the new mortar matched both the color and chemical composition of the historic mix.

Simultaneously, a comprehensive window replacement project restored hundreds of unique configurations, including educational trips to a Philadelphia warehouse where I learned about historic window restoration firsthand. The building’s sheet metal and ornamental components were cleaned, abated, and refinished in the signature “glazed pecan” tone.

Additionally, the historic fire escape was originally installed in the early 20th century during NYC’s evolving fire safety regulations and was removed, shipped to Alabama for restoration, and reinstalled. I also participated in the complex interior plaster restoration of Stern Auditorium, where repairs had to be conducted from behind the decorative surfaces to maintain uninterrupted public access and performances.

This restoration effort not only preserved the hall’s architectural legacy but ensured its structural and aesthetic integrity for future generations of performers and visitors.