Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Municipal Building
This building dominating the Civic Center area, straddling Chambers Street, was
the first “skyscraper” by McKim, Mead, and White, a 25-story structure completed
in 1914. The top is a veritable wedding-cake fantasy of towers and spires topped
by Adulph Wienman's famous statue, Civic Fame. The intricate terracotta vaulting
above the street is modeled on the entrance of the Palazzo Farnese in Rome, and the
subwayentranceatthesouthend,anarcadedplaza,isadramaticvaultofGuastavino
tiles.
• 1 Center St at Chambers St
New York County Courthouse
Ascend the wide staircase of the 1926 New York County Courthouse (adjacent to the
31-story, pyramid-topped U.S. Courthouse dating from 1933), and enter to admire
the marble-columned rotunda with Tiffany lighting fixtures. Note, too, the ceiling
murals depicting Law and Justice. The hexagonal building has a courtroom in each
of its six wings.
• 60 Center St
• Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri
• reserve tours in advance (
646 386 3153
)
• Free
Surrogate's Court/Hall of Records
With an interior inspired by the Paris Opéra, this 1907 Beaux Arts beauty boasts a
magnificent central hall with marble stairways and ceiling mosaics. The façade fea-
turesstatuesrepresenting justice,theseasons,commerce,andnotableNewYorkers,
and figures depicting the stages of life.
• 31 Chambers St
• Lobby open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri
• Free
