Open House in New York

More than 75 important architectural sites in New York City will be open for viewing -- free of charge -- for New York's first annual "openhousenewyork" (OHNY), to be held on October 11 and 12. For two days, visitors will have a chance to explore City Hall, Tweed Courthouse, Gracie Mansion, the Grand Army Plaza Arch, the catacombs of Green-Wood Cemetery, the turn-of-the-century Pratt Institute power plant, and dozens of other important buildings. Highlights of the event include a cutting-edge art gallery made out of shipping containers, an ultra-modern fashion photo studio in a former gas station, and a behind-the-scenes look at the construction of the major expansion of the Museum of Modern Art.

“OHNY will give the public unprecedented access to inspiring and innovative places in neighborhoods throughout the city,” said Scott Lauer, executive director of openhousenewyork, a private, not-for-profit organization.

“This event could not be timelier; with the rebuilding of lower Manhattan, plans on the table for the 2012 Olympics, and other major building projects, public awareness and interest in architecture and design in New York has never been greater," Lauer said.

OHNY was inspired by the overwhelming success of similar events that have taken place over the past decade in London, Toronto and other cities around the world. Through an annual citywide event and other public programs throughout the year, OHNY will engage the public in New York’s rich architectural, urban and historical development by providing access to a diverse array of architectural, engineering and design achievements.

“OHNY is a brilliant means of showcasing New York City’s rich architecture and design,” said Terence Riley, chief curator, Department of Architecture & Design, Museum of Modern Art and an OHNY advisory board member, who will lead tours of the MoMA expansion. “This important event will catalyze a public discussion about New York’s urban environment and be instrumental in galvanizing meaningful change.”

OHNY will be launched as part of the city’s first Architecture Week, which also includes the opening of the AIA NY Chapter’s Center for Architecture, 538 LaGuardia Place, which will serve as the welcome and information center for the event. The participating sites reflect the diversity of New York City architecture and design:

From Famous Landmarks to New Frontiers:
· City Hall and Tweed Courthouse, Manhattan: visitors can tour two of America’s great public interiors.
· Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch at Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn: the public will be able to climb to the top of this landmark for spectacular views of the city.
· Hidden Harbor Tour: Explore New York’s maritime and industrial infrastructure on this three-hour cruise. In cooperation with the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance.
· The High Line, Manhattan: The recent focus of an international design competition, this elevated railway weaves through the far West Side, unused and overgrown with meadow grasses and wildflowers. Public views will be provided from a private rooftop situated along the route.

Substations to Skyscrapers:
· The Pratt Institute Power Plant, Brooklyn: Featuring steam engines dating back more than a century, complete with gleaming brass levers and exposed gears, this operating power plant is a testament to the industrial age.
· Williamsburgh Savings Bank (HSBC headquarters), Brooklyn: This limestone-and- brick-clad skyscraper was for many decades billed “the tallest building between New York and Paris”; its grand banking hall features period detail.

Tunnels to Towers:
· Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn: For the first time in its 165-year history, the public can tour the catacombs of this vast, gracious park-like setting which also features elaborate mini-palaces, stunning views and a century and-a-half of the rich and famous.
· Astoria Pool, Queens: The public will have a chance to see the engineered underpinnings beneath this vast 330-foot Art Deco pool, as well as appreciate its original details and spectacular views across the East River.
· High Bridge Water Tower, Manhattan: Once a water pressure equalizing structure, the romantic Neo-Gothic tower over the Harlem River will be open for tours up the winding iron stairs to broad vistas at the top.
· The Jefferson Market Library Tower, Manhattan: This exuberant Venetian Gothic building’s tower affords spectacular views of Greenwich Village and lower Manhattan.

Monuments to Mansions
· Hall of Fame of Great Americans, Bronx: Stanford White’s neo-classical, open air colonnade features busts of great Americans and offers expansive views of the Harlem River and upper Manhattan.
· Gracie Mansion, Manhattan: Once a country retreat, now the official residence of the City’s Mayor, the newly-restored white clapboard house sits atop the high bluff of Carl Schurz Park.
· Seguine Mansion, Staten Island: Greek Revival home whose columned portico overlooks sweeping lawns and the waters of Prince’s Bay. A classical and serene evocation of Staten Island’s prosperous 19 th century days. Boardrooms to Bedrooms
· New York Public Library, Manhattan: Patience and Fortitude, the library’s lion sentries, invite you to visit rarely seen spaces in this legendary New York landmark, including the stately Trustees Room.
· Boerum Hill House, Brooklyn: Previously a warehouse and then a church, this contemporary loft-style residence still retains its unique architectural details.
· Olympic Tower Residence, Manhattan: This high-style designed residence, by Gabellini Associates, is a cool study of white and glass with extraordinary views of mid-town Manhattan

Historic Sites to Exciting New Work:
· Christopher House, Historic Richmond Town, Staten Island: Tour this 18 th century fieldstone farmhouse, which is currently undergoing restoration and will not be open to the public for another year. Children will be provided with reproduction hand-tools to simulate restoration activities.
· Museum of Modern Art, Manhattan: Curator, Terence Riley will lead tours on Saturday of the significant expansion of the museum, which is currently under construction.
· Bohen Foundation, Manhattan: Cutting-edge design firm LOT-EK designed this office and gallery from shipping containers that reconfigure to accommodate changing exhibits.
· Mark Morris Dance Studios, Brooklyn: The first custom-designed dance studio for a single-choreographer company in the United States. The public is invited to observe a dance class on Saturday.
· Lux Studios, Manhattan: This gas station was recently transformed into a fashion photo studio with a 400-square-foot pyramid skylight, roof terrace and a fishpond.
· Meatpacking District Fashion Boutique Tour, Manhattan: Steven Sclaroff, a local architect, will lead tours on Sunday of the latest, cutting-edge fashion boutiques.

A guide and map highlighting all participating sites, designed by renowned graphic designer and illustrator Seymour Chwast, will be available at all participating sites and at the OHNY welcome center at the Center for Architecture. Complete event information will also be available on OHNY website, www.ohny.org. In addition, children will receive a special map and "suitcase," also designed by Chwast, containing activity sheets with information about the site history, architecture and design. The map will be stamped at each location so children can track their journey.

openhousenewyork inc. is a private, non-profit organization that is dedicated to engaging the public and increasing awareness and appreciation of New York’s built environment. Through an annual citywide event and other public programs throughout the year, OHNY enables a diverse audience to learn about New York’s rich architectural, urban and historical development by providing access to innovative and inspiring sites of architectural, engineering and design significance. Supporters include many of the city’s leading arts institutions, civic groups and government representatives. Major funding for openhousenewyork kids project has been provided by Mellon Financial Corporation Foundation. Additional funding has been provided by Scholastic Inc.

For more information, visit www.ohny.org.