The popular New York landmark, the Astor Place cube (also known as the Alamo) created in 1967 by the famous sculptor Tony Rosenthal (1914-2009), is currently undergoing a complete restoration. Before returning to New York once the restoration is complete, the Tony Rosenthal Estate will exhibit Alamo at the Hamptons Fine Art Fair from July 13 to July 16, where Rosenthal will be posthumously inducted into the Hamptons Artists Hall of Fame.
As of December 2021, a barricade surrounded the damaged Alamo, which was originally designed to rotate but could no longer safely do so. The following April, a heavy-duty temporary stabilization system, using steel supports to support the Alamo, had to be put in place to prevent additional damage. The Rosenthal Estate joined with the city's Department of Transportation (DOT), which is responsible for maintaining the Alamo, to take further steps to preserve the sculpture.
In appreciation of New York City's decades-long commitment to the Astor Place cube, the Rosenthal Estate has offered to fund the cost of an extensive restoration project to the iconic sculpture for future generations of New Yorkers to enjoy. The estate brought in Versteeg Art Fabricators for the restoration project. Versteeg developed a comprehensive restoration and preservation proposal that would also allow the Alamo to turn again.
The Alamo restoration plan received unanimous approval at the New York City Public Planning Commission hearing on March 20, 2023. The commission approved the complete restoration and reinstallation of the Alamo at Astor Place and, prior to the reinstallation, loaning the Alamo to the estate for the appearance of the Hamptons.
“Tony Rosenthal's art spans seven decades, with several significant public works in New York,” says property manager Dave Petrie. “The estate is grateful for the opportunity to present the Alamo in Southampton where the artist spent the last years of his life in his studio home. It's a wonderful way to honor his legacy. His widow, Cynthia Rosenthal, is grateful to everyone involved for all the hours of dedication put into this project. He knows Tony would be very happy that after 56 years, the Alamo at Astor Place is still spinning.”
