Steinway Hall – LOST GEM
Steinway Hall – LOST GEM
109 West 57th StreetNew York, NY 10019
steinwayshowrooms.com/steinway-hall
The flagship store of “the world’s finest piano” was a soaring three-story building that people easily got lost in. Designed by architects Warren and Wetmore, who were also responsible for Grand Central Terminal, the Steinway Hall opened in 1925. A collection of the iconic pianos were housed here, amidst soaring arches, chandeliers and dark green walls covered with original oil paintings. The store was home to treasures such as the “piano bank” where musicians came to choose the instrument they would use for a concert, and the Steinway Basement, where professionals closely inspected each piano to be delivered in New York. Sadly, however, notes of change began to play when both the building and company were sold to a private equity firm in 2012. Despite the destruction of the building, the rotunda, with its magnificent painted ceiling is said to remain, due to its landmark status. Steinway has found a new home at 1133 Avenue of the Americas. Thus, after close to a ninety year run on 57th, the company will have a new location in 2015.
