Lower East Side Tenement Museum
New York, NY
The principal historic resource of the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, 97 Orchard Street is an 1863 tenement. The building, whose residential floors were vacated and sealed in 1935, provides a unique window into the history of ordinary people’s lives in New York City’s densely populated Lower East Side in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Working with the LESTM since 1988, Li · Saltzman prepared a Historic Structures Report, Economic Feasibility Study, Master Plan, and Conceptual Design for the museum. Phased Designed Development, Construction Documents, and Construction Administration followed. The design philosophy is based on respecting the contributions of all periods of the site’s historic significance (1863-1935); maximizing the retention of the site’s historic character and fabric; and providing safe public access to the historic resource.
LSA recently worked with LESTM to assess the existing conditions of the structure, HVAC/electrical/fire protection systems, features, and finishes of 97 Orchard Street and to develop a comprehensive plan for the future of the building. Based on the recommendations, Construction Documents were developed to provide upgrades to the building systems and structure, and to increase visitor comfort and safety. The museum reopened to the public on September 21, 2023.
Designation: National Historic Landmark, Historic Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Affiliated Area of the National Park System
Awards: New York Landmarks Conservancy Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award (1999), One of "100 Outstanding Buildings and Structures in New York City," Built By Women, Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation (2014),
Press: Treasures of New York: Tenement Museum, WLIW, January 21, 2024; New York Times, “A Museum with a Timely Theme Reopens Today”, September 21, 2023; TimeOut New York, “A first look at NYC’s newly renovated Tenement Museum now open to the public”, September 22, 2023; HyperAllergic, “Peek Inside the Newly Reopened Tenement Museum in Manhattan”, September 25, 2023.
