The Metropolitan Museum of Art's new, completely redesigned David H. Koch Plaza will officially open to the public on Wednesday, September 10, after a major two-year reconstruction effort. The massive outdoor space—which runs along Fifth Avenue for four city blocks, the entire length of the Museum's landmark façade—now features completely new fountains, paving, lighting, allées and bosques of trees leading to the Museum's entrances from north and south, and seating areas for visitors. 

The plaza is named for David H. Koch, a Museum Trustee, who contributed the entire $65 million cost of the project.

“This project is a new public space of great importance, one that will benefit and delight not only the more than six million visitors who come to see the Met's magnificent collection and galleries each year, but also the entire community of New Yorkers and visitors to the City,” said Daniel Brodsky, the Museum's Chairman. “We are immensely grateful to David Koch for his vision and generosity—in one philanthropic gesture, he made this transformative project possible.”

Thomas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of the Museum, said: “Finally, more than a century after the completion of the Met's grand Fifth Avenue façade, and more than 40 years after its last plaza renovation, the Museum has created a truly welcoming point of entry. Here now is a cityscape that is environmentally friendly and will please our visitors as they come to experience the unparalleled breadth of masterpieces on display inside. Rather than finding the complexity of the project daunting—from the hauling of granite for new fountains and paving stones, to the planting of trees and the installation of hundreds of LED lights, on an area roughly the equivalent size of three football fields—David Koch recognized its significance, embraced it, and made it happen.”

Emily K. Rafferty, President of the Museum, commented: “This project is a great demonstration of philanthropic spirit and we are tremendously grateful to David Koch for what we have been able to accomplish as the result of his generosity. We are also grateful to the many City agencies whose support was vital to the project's completion, including the Department of Cultural Affairs, Department of Parks and Recreation, New York City Landmarks Commission, Public Design Commission, Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Buildings, City Law Department, Metropolitan Transit Authority, and our local Community Board #8. We also acknowledge with gratitude the design work of OLIN and the many consulting firms who developed designs and plans for the various elements of this project. And we thank the Museum's neighbors for their patience and understanding during this two-year reconstruction process. Now that the project is complete, we are thrilled to open the plaza to the public for their use and enjoyment.”

David H. Koch said: “The new plaza is something that will not only beautify the Metropolitan Museum, but also Fifth Avenue and the entire neighborhood, by creating a welcoming, warm, and vibrant open space that the public can enjoy. Although the Met is best known for its magnificent art collections, inspiring architecture, and interior grand spaces, the OLIN-designed plaza will also make the exterior of the Met a masterpiece.”