The sculpture garden is lowered, so that its perimeter can inject daylight into the former basement. Because the sculpture garden is sunken, the wall that now surrounds it disappears. This creates a direct visual transparency between 53rd and 54th streets. The two streets acquire a potential equivalence that allows a large variety of entry and exit points and the orchestration of the different flows of visitors. This island has become the new lobby.
Daylight now surrounds the former basement on all sides.
This new garden level becomes the formal entrance. Previously unfindable elements such as the theaters benefit from a new exposure. The site of the present restaurant is liberated. It has an independent entrance off the revalued 54th Street. Loading bays for both the Museum and the tower are organized on the west, against the Athletic Club building.