History of Queens Museum of Art
The Queens Museum of Art was first renovated in 1964 by architect Daniel Chait and later used again for the 1965 World’s Fair, a focal point for the Panorama of the City of New York, which is still on display. Earlier in the century, Billy Rose Aquacade and Amphitheater in 1939, were renovated for the 64-65 World’s Fair, but later fell into despair in the 1980s, after which it had to be torn down in 1996.
Minor alterations to the northern side of the building in 1972 meant that the building was converted into the Queens Center for Art and culture, which was renamed Queens Museum of Art. Later in 1994, this building had to undergo renovations which were undertaken by Rafael Vinoly, mainly reconfiguring the structure into offices, galleries and classes. Later it was an ice-skating rink for several years.
In 2009, the city announced a $69 million expansion project which was to be completed in 2013. The project was undertaken by Grimshaw Architects along with engineering business Ammann & Whitney, who developed plans to add 50,000 square feet of exhibition space, education centres and office spaces. There were plans to add eight new studious, which would essentially double the size of the museum to 100,000 square feet.
The prior ice-skating rink, which occupied the southern part of the building for sixty years, was relocated to the northeastern section of Corona Park. The newly expanded museum opened its doors in November 2013 at the entrance of the Grand Central Parkway.
