John H. Beyer, last founding partner of Beyer Blinder Belle, dies at 92

John H. Beyer, the last surviving founder of the New York architecture firm Beyer Blinder Belle, died on Tuesday at his home in Manhattan. He was 92, and a representative from the firm confirmed the death, which came 10 days after the death of his wife, Wendy Beyer. Mr. Beyer co-founded Beyer Blinder Belle in 1968 with Richard Blinder and John Belle after the three met in the early 1960s while working for Victor Gruen.

The partners were influenced by Jane Jacobs and opened their first office in Greenwich Village. Jacobs, according to The New York Times, praised the firm for "looking at the fabric of the community." Over decades the firm became known for sensitive renovation and adaptive reuse. Mr.

Beyer oversaw the restoration of Grand Central Terminal, directing the cleaning of layers of soot from the celestial ceiling, the addition of an eastern grand staircase and the removal of a large Kodak billboard; the work was completed in 1998 and was widely praised, with David Dunlap of The New York Times writing that the terminal had become "as sparkling as it must have been on opening day in 1913." Other projects Mr.

Beyer oversaw included the Met Breuer building, the main New York Public Library building, work at the Frick Collection (with Selldorf Architects) and commercial refits such as the Henri Bendel flagship. The firm also worked on new residential towers and restoration projects in Washington, D.C., including Union Station and the Washington Monument visitor center.

Key Topics

Culture, John H. Beyer, Beyer Blinder Belle, Grand Central Terminal, Jane Jacobs, Met Breuer