As developer Aby Rosen pushes through changes at the iconic Four Seasons restaurant in the Seagram Building on Manhattan’s Park Avenue, preservationists are lamenting what could be the loss of one of the great Modernist public spaces since 1959. Rosen has already gotten rid of the Picasso tapestry in the lobby, and now the restauranteur duo of the Four Seasons are auctioning off the Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson-designed furniture.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission has stood its ground on some of the permanent interior features, but Rosen continues to push for changes. The Four Seasons will move to 280 Park Avenue and reopen for business on Monday, August 1. At the current Four Seasons location, Rosen has enlisted Major Food Group, the gurus behind spots like Carbone, Dirty French, Parm, and Parm Yankee Stadium.

In the face of drastic changes, DOCOMOMO New York/Tri-State will be honoring Phyllis Lambert on June 15 at A Modern Affair, which is quite possibly the last event being held by an architecture or preservation organization before the restaurant closes.

The evening will honor Lambert, whose vision enabled the creation of this landmark interior space. She is the author of Building Seagram. Elizabeth Diller will be making introductory remarks, as her practice, Diller + Scofidio, designed the Brasserie Restaurant in the Seagram Building. 

Tickets are available here.