News broke in January that the beloved and historic Rizzoli Bookstore on 57th Street would eventually be demolished, sparking a preservation campaign in an attempt to save the building. The wrecking ball isn't coming anytime soon, but just in case, our sister site Racked sent their photographer to the shop to capture its architectural beauty before it's wiped away. The store is located within a six-story, 109-year-old building with a 32-foot arch for an entrance. When Rizzoli first moved to the site in 1985, they brought in architect Hugh Hardy to restore the one-time mansion to its old world glory, incorporating chandeliers, cherry wood paneling, and a carved marble door from their original location on Fifth Avenue. The current building is not landmarked, and developing duo LeFrak and Vornado Realty Trust plan to raze the building, and its neighbors, to construct a high-rise condo.
Click through to Racked for a lot more photos.
· Tour the Beautiful, Historic Rizzoli Bookstore Before It Moves [Racked]
· All Rizzoli Bookstore coverage [Curbed]
· Bookstore May Have to Flee the Wrecking Ball, Again [NYT]
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