About
Free sculpture, models and Akari lanterns fill the lobby and plaza of Bunshaft's 1952 landmark.
This is the best free art in Midtown, and a genuine closing of the loop: the commission Noguchi lost, staged in the building that lost it. The Model for the Lever Brothers Building sits inside a vitrine Bunshaft himself designed, surrounded by the sculptures that inherited its ideas. Add seventy-five years of Akari glowing on the Park Avenue corner and it is worth crossing town for.
What to expect
A two-part presentation: the outdoor courtyard and plaza sculptures, accessible around the clock, and the indoor lobby gallery with the model, drawings, bronzes and Akari. It is a working office lobby rather than a museum, so expect a compact, quiet display you can see thoroughly in half an hour rather than a full gallery circuit.
Good to know
- Lever House is at 390 Park Avenue between 53rd and 54th - take the E/M to Lexington-53rd or the 6 to 51st Street
- The lobby portion is closed on Sundays and keeps short Saturday hours, so a weekday visit sees far more of the show
- The courtyard and plaza sculptures are outdoors and accessible at any hour, including when the lobby is shut
- This is an office building lobby - security may ask what you are there for, and photography rules are theirs to set
- It runs for nearly a year, so there is no need to rush it into a packed weekend
- The Noguchi Museum in Long Island City is the natural companion visit if the show sends you looking for more
Common questions
Is it free?
Yes. Both the outdoor plaza sculptures and the Lever House lobby gallery are free and open to the public with no admission or ticket.
Can I see it on a Sunday?
Only the outdoor courtyard and plaza, which are open 24/7. The lobby gallery is closed Sundays; it opens Monday to Friday 7 AM to 8 PM and Saturday 8 AM to 1 PM.
How long is it on view?
From September 14, 2026 through August 31, 2027.