The Four Seasons Restaurant, in its iconic original incarnation at the Seagram Building closed on July 16th. Tomorrow at 10am, Wright’s auction of its mid-century interior decor and serving items will begin in the Pool Room of the restaurant. Fortunately, because the building is an interior and exterior landmark, the interior will remain in its fundamental form.
The interior of the restaurant was designed by Philip Johnson with tableware and cookware by Garth and Ada Louise Huxtable, special-ordered Knoll furniture, and custom designs by Johnson, Eero Saarinen, and Mies van der Rohe, who designed the Seagram Building.
Here are some highlights from the upcoming auction:
The chair Murmuration by Johnny Swing, made of nickels. Estimated auction price $100,000 to $150,000.
Barcelona Chairs and Ottomans by Mies van der Rohe, in the first floor marble lobby, before you ascended the staircase to the restaurant. Photo courtesy of Wright.
Custom tulip tables by Eero Saarinen with a polished bronze top, located at the bar of the Grill Room. Photo courtesy of Wright.
Custom curved banquettes by Philip Johnson. As the auction website states, “Prominently located in the center rear of the Grill Room, table 35 was the long-chosen seat of the businessman and philanthropist, Peter Peterson.” Photo courtesy of Wright.
Custom Brno chairs by Mies van der Rohe, requested by Philip Johnson. Photo courtesy of Wright.
Chairs by Hans Wegner that were located in the mezzanine of the Grill Room and in the private dining room. Photo courtesy of Wright.
From the auction website: “Garth and Ada Louise Hutable designed The Four Season’s stemware, tableware and cookware. From Serving bowls and chargers to sets of flatware and even cookware, these unique designs help define the restaurant’s iconic look..” Photo courtesy of Wright.
From the auction website: “The Huxtables designed various stemware forms for The Four Seasons; styles include glasses for water, champagne, martini, cocktail, cordial, as well as glasses for red wine, white wine and brandy (not shown). An example of the brandy snifter can be found in the permanent collection of The Museum of Modern Art, New York.” Photo courtesy of Wright.
The full catalog of the collection on auction is available on Wright’s website. Essays from Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter and architectural critic Paul Goldberger are also part of the catalog. For a great history of the Four Seasons, a book that the restaurant had on display in its lobby when the restaurant was open is The Four Seasons: A History of America’s Premier Restaurant. The Four Seasons Restaurant will reopen at a new location at 280 Park Avenue.
Next, see our photographs from the Four Seasons Restaurant when it was still in operation.
