Boston Athenæum  
Renovation & Expansion

The Boston Athenæum, one of the oldest independent libraries in the United States, is located in a circa 1849 National Historic Landmark building on Beacon Hill. The availability of an additional multi-floor area in an adjacent building prompted the re-envisioning of existing space as well as the best use of the new space.   

Our renovation of the original building includes a redesigned entrance lobby and reception area, new coat and locker areas, children’s library, café, digital imaging lab, and study center. Spaces in the adjacent building, accessed through new connections between buildings, include a gallery for changing exhibitions of books, prints, paintings, and other artwork from the Athenaeum extensive collections, as well as curatorial and administrative offices. Two new multipurpose events areas are furnished as living rooms with adjacent meeting rooms for both members and rentals, easily convertible for dinners, lectures, musical events, or dancing.