New-York tribune., 1922-06-28
Civic Art and
Music Center
Plan Outlined
Would Extend From 57th
TO 59th ST. at 9TH Ave-,
and Contain Approxi-
maiely 294,400 So. Feet
Contemplate Opera House
Three Courts for Exhibition
of Sculpture Also Are
Included in Proposal

Philip BeTolzhcimcr, City Chamber
lain, made public yesterday an outline
Of the proposed civic music and art
eente; extending from Fifiy-sevcn,h
Street 70 Fifty-ninih Street. and en-
braeing Seventh Avenue. The plans
were prepared by Arnold W. Brunner.
president Of the American Institute Of
Architects.
Tho proposed site provides for a
plot Of ground 400 feet IN width
By $40 feet in length. Seventh
Avenue Is detected at Fifty
seventh Street so as 20 connect with
Fifty-ninth Street by two curved
streets. each so feet wide. The site IS
large enough FOR tho group Of build
ings surrounded by large open spaces,
which are TO be treated partly as
paved plazas. and partly with lawns,
gardens, trees and flowers.
Looking north from Seventh Avenue
the Opera House will have a fine ap-
proach forming the end Of a vista. This
building is 200 feet wide. $50 feet long
and approximately $50 feet high. II
is intended 10 provide all the require
ments Of the present Metropolitan
Opera House. plus ample foyers and
approaches. proper depth and width Of
stage. adequate dressing rooms,
storage for scenery and various other
utilities which are now lacking. II is
separated from the buildings on either
side by space equal in width 10 a
city street. thus giving unusual
facilities Tor ingress and egress.
Bridge to Central Park
II is proposed 70 construct n terrace
In front Of the Opera House connected
with Central Park by a bridge over
Fifty-uinth Street. and there will also
be various connections with the sub
ways on a lower level. thus providing
access on three different levels.
on the west side OF the Opera
House D. IS proposed 20 place the build
ng for the fine arts, which forms a
part of the proposed Music and Art
Center This building will be approxi-
ma.oly $50 feet long and ii3 feet wide
The wing facing Fiity-eighth Street
projects iiiy-six feet and is 1875 feet
In width. Tho building will be ninety
Eve feet high. There is 20 be q cen
tral court and two smaller courts or
formal gardens for the exhibition OF
sculpture. Tho building will afford
adequate exhibition space with we'll
lighted rooms and galleries for the
work of living artists and for the eN-
h.b.t.ons tha. are held by the various
rociot.cs tina; form The National Aead
Cmr Association. Smaller exhibition
rooms and class rooms for art students
arc also provided.
On the other side Of the Opera House
u is proposed 20 place n building which
n reality viii consist Of three build
.rgs. In tho center there will be an
auditorium for concert purposes, ap-
nr0Mmatciy tho size OF Carnegie Hall.
This concert hall Is hanked by two
wings. one % contain conservatory
of music, study rooms, rooms for
chamber music. etc. and the other a
municipal iheatcr. The size OF this
music building is about the same as
shat 81 the building for the fine arts.
Tho exterior of tic group OF build.
ings Will be treated in n modified and
modern adaptation OF classic motifs,
rrcai r.mplicity ard dignity being the
dominant note.
Proposed as War Memorial
The City Chamberlain and Joseph
Na8C, secretary 81 the board OF Eati-
mate. appointed by the Mayor pur-
ruant 20 legislative enactment rs a
committee % determine q site TO be
acquired for n building to be used for
tho advancement Of education IN
music, drama and other arts" made a
report 20 the board on March 80 last.
suggcsting that the proposed music
and art center. the proposed perma-
nent war memoria. and other proposed
memorial projects all be co-ordinated
as p peace memorial. This report Is
stll pending before the Board OF Esti-
mate.
Meanwhile, Rodman Wanamaker'
chairman OF the Mayors committee on
2 permanent war memorial, has filed
n separate report suggesting that the
war memorial be placed in Central
PARK. utilizing the base Of the. old
reservoir. The two projects now have
become separate matters 70 be finally
considered by the city authorities. X
Is expected public hearings on the
proposals will be announced shortly
by the Board OF Estimate.