The Frick Collection is set to reopen its doors in April 2025, following an ambitious $220 million transformation that marries Gilded Age opulence with modern amenities in a triumphant return to its historic 5th Avenue home, per observer.com. The nearly five-year renovation project, overseen by Selldorf Architects, represents the most comprehensive upgrade to the institution in almost nine decades.
The revitalised museum complex seamlessly integrates 27,000 square feet of new construction with 60,000 square feet of meticulously restored existing space. Perhaps most notably, visitors will gain first-ever access to the mansion’s second floor, which has been converted from administrative offices into ten new galleries showcasing rarely seen works and recent acquisitions.
“The intimate encounters with art offered by our historic galleries remain a cornerstone of the Frick experience,” says outgoing Director Ian Wardropper. The restoration’s attention to detail is extraordinary – original textiles have been painstakingly recreated by the same French firms that served the Frick family over a century ago. The iconic green velvet in the West Gallery, for instance, has been rewoven by Prelle, the original 1914 manufacturer.
The reopening celebrations will feature several prestigious exhibitions, including “Vermeer’s Love Letters” (June 18 – September 8, 2025), which brings together three masterworks exploring the Dutch artist’s portrayal of women across social classes. The museum will also display Vladimir Kanevsky’s lifelike porcelain flower sculptures, paying homage to the fresh floral arrangements that graced the museum’s 1935 opening.
Adding to the institution’s enhanced accessibility, a new Education Room will host various programs for students and the public, while the refurbished Frick Art Reference Library will offer multiple entry points to better integrate with the museum proper. The newly constructed Stephen A. Schwarzman Auditorium, a 220-seat circular venue, will debut with a festival of classical and contemporary performances during the inaugural week.
Under the leadership of incoming director Axel Rüger, formerly of London’s Royal Academy of Arts and Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum, the Frick Collection is poised to enter a new era while maintaining its status as one of the world’s premier repositories of fine and decorative arts. The renovation ensures that future generations can experience the museum’s masterpieces by Boucher, Bellini, Van Dyck, and others in a setting that honours both historical authenticity and modern museum practices.
The project’s completion marks a significant milestone in New York City’s cultural landscape, preserving one of the few remaining Gilded Age buildings with original fabric wall and furniture coverings while adapting it for contemporary audiences. As the Frick Collection prepares to welcome visitors back to its renewed spaces, it stands as a testament to the enduring power of art and architecture to bridge past and present.
•Featured image: A rendering of the Frick Collection as seen from East 70th Street/Selldorf Architects
