Some big names were on hand last week to celebrate the opening of Gensler and Marvel’s noteworthy new Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) branch in the neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights.

The upgrades now make it the second-largest in the BPL’s system and are part of a larger $52 million land-sale funded push that brings with it 114 units of off-site affordable housing at the site and a suite of upgrades and repairs to nine other branches. BPL President and CEO Linda Johnson called it “the most important rebuilding” in the 125-year history of the institution. New York Mayor Eric Adams was present to note the development’s tie-ins with his political vision of rebuilding and housing policy that will go a long way in reshaping America's largest city over the next few years.

“With monumental windows on three sides, the double-height reading room is flooded with natural light during the day and becomes a glowing beacon for the neighborhood at night,” Jonathan Marvel said in a press preview. “We also found a way to integrate the beloved limestone bas reliefs from the former library into the new design so they can continue to be enjoyed by all. We are optimistic that this elegant design and its vibrant programs will be a coveted citywide resource for years to come.”

Two Clemente Spampinato-designed bas-reliefs salvaged from the 1962 building that the new construction replaces have been installed in the library in homage to the enduring legacy of the original structure and its status as a pillar of the community and in keeping with an arboreal new commission from Brooklyn-based artist Jean Shin, titled “Something Borrowed, Something New”, that will feature outside this summer.

“Creating spaces for communities, where they can spend constructive time and stay busy should be on every organization and agency’s priority list,” Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said of the project. “The new Brooklyn Heights Public Library branch will provide spaces for families not just to read, but to engage in new activities and give them access to critical resources."