Location
476 Fifth Avenue
Completion
2005
Client
New York Public Library
Square Footage
7,000 SF
Architect
Davis Brody Bond, LLP
New York Public Library - Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division
Sciame was the Construction Manager responsible for the restoration of the New York Public Library’s Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division. The major challenge of the project was the primary program change, placing compact storage units under an existing balcony. The original storage systems were constructed of cast iron and steel bookcase standards that were both decorative and structural. These “standards” supported the Vermont Danby marble floor above. In order to install a new system, the existing first floor standards had to be removed and new structural steel had to be inserted. Given the delicate nature of the existing historic finishes, the insertion of the tubular steel required the full protection of the original Welsh terra cotta tiles and the careful disassembly of the hand-carved American black walnut woodwork. Upon completion of the structural system, the woodwork was reassembled.
Every inch of this complex and richly ornamented interior was renewed, restored, and revived. After fully cleaning the plaster carved ceilings, a gilded polychrome glaze was discovered. As a result, a full restoration of the ceiling to its original decorative scheme was undertaken. The highly carved and polished black walnut frieze was cleaned and finished, walls were painted, and the cast iron shelving was painted with a bronze powdered paint. Another essential stage of the project was the restoration of the original furniture in the Reading Room.
Inserting new systems within these two rooms was formidable. The primary upgrade to the Reading Room was the significant increase to the lighting levels. This was accomplished by tucking new “up” lights around the perimeter of the room at the top of the bookcases, by restoring and supplementing two rows of exposed lamps to the four original gilt chandeliers, and by inserting high powered “down” lights within the existing plaster ceiling in order to illuminate the reading tables. Additional upgrades included wireless data, infrared smoke beam detectors, new mechanical systems, and a fully integrated security system.
Project Awards
NY Construction News – Best of 2006
Award of Merit- Rehabilitation, Renovation and Restoration
What a night! A huge thank you to everyone who came out on Wednesday to represent Team Sciame at the 2025 J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge in Central Park!
Despite the weather, the Sciame team showed up strong, lacing up and powering through the 3½-mile course!
We’re proud of the determination, camaraderie, and good humor everyone brought to a soggy evening in the park.
#jpmcc
New York Construction’s Contractor of the Year – Looking back, 2006 was a standout year for Sciame Construction. We were honored as Contractor of the Year, a testament to our growing reputation for delivering some of New York City’s most architecturally daring and culturally significant projects.
In April 2006, Sciame Construction completed the Morgan Library and Museum Expansion, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop and BBB Architects. The project was led by then EVP/Division Head Joseph Mizzi, who began his career at Sciame 11 years earlier in 1995.
The following month, our founder, Frank Sciame, passed the torch of day-to-day leadership by promoting Joseph Mizzi to President of Sciame Construction, while continuing to serve as Chairman and CEO.
This leadership transition helped shape the next chapter of our story, and was memorialized in the cover photo of New York Construction, and the firm’s Contractor of the Year honor.
Thanks a Half-Billion! – At Sciame Construction, we proudly led the effort to reimagine the WTC Memorial and Museum, a project of national significance. Frank Sciame, our founder, was tasked with creating a design that honored the original vision while staying within a $500 million budget. Working closely with Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Pataki, and a team of 13 advisers, including notable figures like Jack Rudin and Robert Douglass, we developed cost-effective design options, ultimately reducing the budget from nearly $1 billion to $510 million. Our approach preserved key elements like the voids, waterfalls, and pools while optimizing infrastructure and resizing the museum. Sciame’s commitment to excellence ensured a memorial that balances beauty, dignity, and sustainability.
Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center – Though relatively small in size, the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center was a technically complex project successfully constructed and delivered by Sciame Construction. This groundbreaking laboratory made an outsized impact on global health. It was here that Dr. David Ho pioneered the development of the revolutionary “AIDS cocktail,” a combination therapy that transformed HIV from a fatal diagnosis into a manageable condition. His groundbreaking work earned him the title of TIME magazine’s Man of the Year, underscoring the center’s profound contribution to the fight against the AIDS epidemic.
