A stealthy tipster was walking by the shuttered Rizzoli Bookstore on 57th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues and was able to sneak into the construction destruction site: "All of the doors were open (construction shed doors wide open, doors leading into store wide open), so I ventured inside, asking if anyone was there. I was shocked to see the destruction already happening at the store." Efforts to preserve the shop failed, and a mere month later, the beautiful, 109-year-old structurewith domed ceilings, classy chandeliers, and detailed woodworkhas already been ripped to shreds to make way for a condo tower, courtesy of developer duo LeFrak and Vornado.
"They kept saying they were going to move to a new store and keep the fixtures, but as you can see, it's in ruins. There were broken pieces of wood and bookcases shattered. Doesn't look like they're trying to keep it in good shape. They've destroyed the glass front of the store and have cemented over the gold 'R' in the entranceway. The arch on the second floor is totally destroyed as well."
Remember, this is what it used to look like. Preservationists, book lovers, and the like, you may commence mourning.
· Inside 57th St.'s Rizzoli Bookstore, Threatened By Demolition [Curbed]
· All Rizzoli Bookstore coverage
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