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Columbus Circle: MAD Opens this Weekend

The new Museum of Arts and Design, which occupies a 54,000-square-foot space at 2 Columbus Circle, opened today.

Its permanent exhibit contains more than 2,000 objects, including the largest collection of contemporary jewelry in the country.

This weekend, the museum will be free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The museum is housed in the former "Lollipop Building" that for the longest time was covered in scaffolding. It had the nickname The Lollipop building because it's Venetian inspired vertical palazzo had perforated port like holes at the base - hence lollipops.

One of New York's most photographed buildings it never received landmark status. It has been on the National Historic Trust's 100 most endangered sites on earth.

For years preservationists have been fighting to stop them from changing the facade. The architecture is 1960's urbanisim. Since it was not a pre-war but post war the landmarks commission never held hearings to save the facade. Many argued that it should be saved because it is bizarre looking.

In 2005 a judge allowed the sale and redesign of 2 Columbus Circle. It will be the new home of The Museum of Arts and Design.

Courtesy of:

Mitchell J Hall, Associate Broker, REALTOR® Coldwell Banker Previews International

©Mitchell Hall 2006-2008

Posted by Mitchell Hall - New York, NY on 09/27/2008 02:35 PM

Comments (5)

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5 Comments on Columbus Circle: MAD Opens this Weekend

Mmmm. Looks like a rectangular Rubiks Cube.

09/27/2008 02:49 PM

by Lenn Harley Homefinders.com MD & VA Real Estate

Lenn, Several people have said it looks like a Rubiks cube. I thought the design was my initial "H" when I first saw .

09/27/2008 03:15 PM

by Mitchell Hall - New York, NY (Coldwell Banker Previews International)

Tetris! I like the new design, but the previous design was very unique. Too bad they couldn't just re-purpose the building to preserve it history. You would think that a Museum of Art and Design would have more appreciation for the art and design of the previous facade.

09/27/2008 04:20 PM

by Rich Dansereau Loan Officer Knoxville TN (Home America Mortgage)

Mitchell I think the new design is incredible! It's on my list of must-sees next time I visity your City.

09/29/2008 03:12 PM

by Anthony Clark (Alexander, Merry-Ship & Alt Real Estate Group, Inc.)

Rich, The previous design was very unique but I think the new design is quite striking. The original building was also a museum that only lasted about 5 years. Eventually the city took over the building and were using it as a tourist information center.

Anthony, The 1st day I noticed it without scaffolding I did a double take. It fits with the new Columbus Circle it is opposite the new Time Warner Center which is very modern design.

09/29/2008 04:56 PM

by Mitchell Hall - New York, NY (Coldwell Banker Previews International)