On June 3, the Judd Foundation announced the temporary closure of 101 Spring Street in New York, the historic home of artist Donald Judd (1928-94). Located on the corner of Spring and Mercer Streets in the heart of New York’s Soho neighborhood, the five-story building houses permanent installations of Judd’s own works as well as those by artists in his personal collection. Judd acquired the building, which dates to 1870 and is the last remaining single-use cast-iron building in the neighborhood, in 1968.
Judd Foundation is embarking on a three-year restoration campaign of 101 Spring Street with an estimated budget of USD 25 million. Another $5 million has been designated for the long-term maintenance of the building and Judd Foundation’s properties in Marfa, Texas. Directed by the New York firm Architecture Research Office, the restoration will include a complete overhaul of the building’s structural foundation and the installation of building-wide environmental and fire-safety systems.
When 101 Spring Street reopens in 2013, Judd Foundation plans to use the ground floor for public programs such as artist talks, lectures and symposia, while the upper floors will feature expanded access to Judd’s collection of works by artists including Jean Arp, Marcel Duchamp, Dan Flavin, Claes Oldenberg and Ad Reinhardt.
Judd Foundation has secured over half the funds necessary for the restoration and now seeks to raise the balance through a public campaign. The June 3 announcement coincided with what would have been Judd’s 82nd birthday.