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The Wall

The Wall, also known as The Gateway to Soho, is a minimalist artwork in SoHo, Manhattan, and forms part of the building at 599 Broadway. In 2002, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission allowed the owners of the building to detach the work so repairs could be made inside the structure. The Wall was later reinstalled. The artwork became the subject of a dispute after the owners complained that it was pushing against the wall on which it was mounted and had caused material damage. In 2004, New York City sued the owners to have the work reinstalled, leading to further legal proceedings over whether they could be compelled to put it back.

The Wall sculpture on a bright blue building facade with rows of teal projections above a beige lower section.
The Wall, also known as The Gateway to Soho, on the north wall of 599 Broadway at Houston Street.
October 2010 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Wall at Gateway to Soho, showing a blue upper section with teal T-shaped protrusions over a tan lower wall.
The Wall installation at Gateway to Soho, with a vivid blue upper section and teal T-shaped elements across the facade.
March 2011 © · CC0
The Wall by Forrest Myers, showing a bright blue wall with teal angled forms arranged in a grid.
The Wall by Forrest Myers, seen here as a bright blue facade with repeating teal protrusions.
October 2010 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Wall with a blue facade and turquoise rectangular protrusions arranged in diagonal rows.
The Wall, also known as The Gateway to Soho, shown as a blue geometric facade with staggered turquoise elements.
October 2010 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
A dark metallic plaque for The Wall mounted on a light textured wall.
Plaque for The Wall, also known as the Gateway to SoHo, mounted on a wall in New York City.
March 2011 © · CC0

Identification

TitleThe Wall
Alternate titleThe Gateway to Soho
French titleLe Mur
Typesculpture; minimalist artwork

Creator

ArtistForrest Myers
NationalityAmerican

Historical context

StyleMinimalism
Year created1973
Commissioned byCity Walls, Inc.
Commission amount$2,000
Original purposeTo cover architectural scars caused when Houston Street was widened at the expense of an adjoining building

Discovery and provenance

Created inSoHo, Manhattan, New York City
Part of building599 Broadway

Location and ownership

LocationMounted on the wall of 599 Broadway in SoHo, Manhattan, New York City

Physical characteristics

Support surfaceA wall with a blue/periwinkle background
ExtentAlmost 8 stories high and covers about three quarters of the wall

Materials

Materials42 aluminum bars bolted to steel braces/supports
ColorGreen

Appearance

Arrangement42 bars fixed to 42 steel supports

History and restoration

Owner complaintIn 1997, the owners of 599 Broadway complained to the LPC that the artwork was causing leaks and structural/property damage
LPC decisionIn 2002, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission authorized removal of the work on condition that it be reinstalled after renovation
Removed2002
Current statusReinstalled
LawsuitIn September 2004, New York City sued the owners of 599 Broadway to compel reinstallation
JudgeDeborah Batts
First Amendment rulingThe judge rejected the owners' First Amendment defense
Fifth Amendment rulingIn May 2005, the judge ruled that forcing reinstallation would violate the owners' Fifth Amendment rights unless they received fair compensation
SettlementIn April 2007, the city and the owners agreed to raise the building exterior by 30 feet so the artwork could be installed higher and street-level advertising space could be created
Advertising revenue estimateThe owners estimated the facade could generate up to $600,000 per year in advertising revenue without the artwork
RepositioningThe artwork was to be installed higher on the building

Significance

MeaningReflects the transformations in SoHo's artistic history and is seen as a reminder of the neighborhood's artistic spirit