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End of the Line for Rizzoli Bookshop
Another New York bookshop bites the dust
In New York, good things are only allowed to last a little while: eventually they must all be destroyed. The latest to add to the pile is the Rizzolli bookshop on West 57th Street, which has received notice that the landlords intend to demolish the 109-year-old structure in which the bookshop is housed.
Rizzoli, publishers of some of the finest and most luxuriously printed books on the market, have not yet said whether they will be opening shop elsewhere.
If so, it would be the second move for the shop, which opened in 1967 at 714 Fifth Avenue (below), just around the corner. A developer tried to tear that building down as well, but preservationists managed to have the façade, with its lalique glass, incorporated into the new tower. It’s now home to Henri Bendel.
Other New York bookshops to close in recent years include the Librairie française, Coliseum Books, Gotham Book Mart, Urban Center Books, and further back more venerable institutions like Scribner’s and Brentano’s.
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57th Street is quickly becoming home to a number of uninspiring glass shards and boxes. Not very pleasing. At least, at the end of the street and a block over north, a rather elegant Robert Stern building is planned- the designs were just released today, actually. His buildings, perhaps, are the only ones that look like they belong in New York.
Rizzoli! For many years the final stop of the day – always filled, not only with beautiful books, but with beautiful people too.
Beautiful books, beautiful building, what a sad loss.
I love following this exceptional blog and part of the reason is my fascination with the idea that anyone can pull it off. The information is far reaching and eclectic and I’m amazed the anyone with what seems to be such an exceptionally busy life manages to find the time to produce something as unique and fun as it is? Andrew, where on earth do you find the time? You must have incredible focus and energy.
One of the last great bookstores. Hate to see it close.
I hope they manage to relocate. It’s such a treasure of a bookstore.
What a shame to tear that place down!! That’s horrible.
How disappointed am I was going for my 3rd visit from England on Xmas eve whilst staying in NYC after a week’s sailing in queen Mary 2 ..was going to purchase my husband’s Xmas present… very sad x