The grandeur of 60 Centre Street in Manhattan is undeniable. Home to a significant courthouse, the building stands as a testament to a bygone era of architectural magnificence. However, beneath the imposing facade and within the hallowed halls of this iconic structure, a story of deterioration and neglect unfolds, demanding attention and action.
While renovations three decades ago offered a vital respite and improved conditions within the courthouse at 60 Centre Street Manhattan, time and the elements have taken their toll. For a building nearing its centennial, the relentless march of time, coupled with unfortunate accidents and the insidious creep of water infiltration, necessitate ongoing and upgraded maintenance. Disturbingly, water damage is once again impacting sections of the rotunda mural, a poignant reminder of the building’s vulnerability.
Looking back at the extensive construction work of the renovation project, a missed opportunity becomes apparent. The courthouse’s aging heating and plumbing systems, proposed for inclusion in the earlier project, were unfortunately omitted. This deferral now translates to a more pressing need for extensive and disruptive repairs to court operations in the years to come.
The list of degraded conditions within 60 Centre Street Manhattan is extensive and concerning. Busy clerks’ offices bear the marks of heavy use, appearing worn and tired. Similarly, some attorneys’ offices suffer from overcrowding and a threadbare aesthetic, a stark contrast to the expectations of newcomers from the private sector. Water damage stains various ceilings throughout the building, while broken marble is a recurring issue, with pieces detaching from walls and missing marble door frames replaced by makeshift pine boards, some painted, some left bare.
The original clocks, prominently positioned in courtrooms above the judge’s bench, symbols of the very essence of time and justice dispensed within 60 Centre Street Manhattan, are failing. Some have stopped working entirely, while others have lost their hands, adding to the overall sense of decay. Public restrooms, once grand with pedestal sinks and expansive marble installations, are now, at best, dingy. While these original features are undeniably worth preserving, a significant refurbishment is urgently required to restore these essential facilities.
Neglect and missteps have contributed to the current state of disrepair at 60 Centre Street Manhattan. A stark example of external damage occurred in April 2008 when a speeding vehicle careened onto the sidewalk on Centre Street, injuring pedestrians and demolishing a section of the bronze railings at the foot of the portico stairs. These railings, added by 1954, were not part of the original courthouse design but had become a familiar feature. The “repair” implemented by the City involved replacing the lost bronze with iron pipes, crudely attached to the remaining bronze sections with duct tape. Over fourteen years later, these unsightly and temporary iron replacements, along with remnants of duct tape, remain in place at 60 Centre Street Manhattan, a testament to prolonged inaction.
Adding insult to injury, the City’s attempt to re-anchor the railings using iron anchor bolts proved disastrous. Iron, prone to expansion as it rusts, should never be used in conjunction with granite. The rusting and expanding iron bolts fractured and damaged numerous granite steps beneath the railings, causing significant splintering. Experts consulted confirmed that the broken steps could be repaired with granite inlays, and bronze fabrication specialists confirmed the railings themselves could be restored. Despite these clear pathways to restoration, the necessary work has never been commissioned at 60 Centre Street Manhattan.
The very entrance to 60 Centre Street Manhattan, the majestic staircase ascended by countless visitors, is marred by neglect and uncorrected errors. It begs the question: would such conditions be tolerated for so long at City Hall or the Tweed Courthouse, buildings under the same stewardship?
Another issue plaguing the staircase at 60 Centre Street Manhattan, skateboarding, was “resolved” with an equally unfortunate solution. The grand staircase became a popular spot for skateboarders, causing damage and staining from skateboard oil. The response was to erect interlinked metal crowd-control fencing across the entire width of the portico staircase. While effective in deterring skateboarders, this measure defaced Guy Lowell’s beautiful staircase with unsightly barriers. The skateboarders simply relocated to Foley Square, continuing their risky activities.
Over decades, 60 Centre Street Manhattan has suffered regrettable losses of original fixtures, some due to poor decisions, others to negligence or vandalism. Historic photographs reveal stately Tiffany Studios light fixtures adorning the Ceremonial Courtroom (Room 300) and likely other courtrooms. These elegant fixtures, resembling surviving originals elsewhere in the building, were inexplicably replaced sometime before 1970, possibly as early as the 1940s or 50s. The original Tiffany lights vanished, replaced by uninspired, inferior substitutes.
The rationale for removing these valuable Tiffany fixtures at 60 Centre Street Manhattan remains unclear, though increased courtroom lighting is suspected. While courtroom lighting is indeed a challenge due to high ceilings and reliance on natural light, discarding priceless Tiffany fixtures was a drastic and ill-conceived solution. Ironically, subsequent renovations in the 1980s/90s again addressed courtroom lighting, proving the replacement fixtures inadequate. More powerful bulbs and “high hat” fixtures were then added, highlighting the initial mistake of removing the original, beautiful lighting.
Original task lamps, possibly also Tiffany creations, further graced 60 Centre Street Manhattan at its opening. These too disappeared over time, likely due to theft, becoming entirely extinct by the years following 1970.
The City’s “Save a Watt” program in the 1970s represents a particularly egregious chapter in the history of 60 Centre Street Manhattan. Intended to save energy by replacing incandescent light fixtures with fluorescent ones, this program resulted in the removal of the vast majority of original light fixtures throughout the courthouse.
An observant attorney at 60 Centre Street Manhattan inadvertently discovered pendent light fixtures being removed and precariously placed in a hallway. His inquiries revealed a plan to replace them with modern fluorescent fixtures. Alarmed, the attorney alerted the court administration, who were completely unaware of this significant project. Despite the scale and impact, the City had failed to inform the Administrative Judge, the Honorable Edward R. Dudley, or County Clerk Norman Goodman.
Judge Dudley and Mr. Goodman, along with the alerted Landmarks Preservation Commission, intervened to halt the complete replacement. The City’s plan was to replace original pendent fixtures, ceiling globes, and decorative bronze sconces – all attributed to Tiffany Studios – with cheap plastic and tin substitutes. These original fixtures were not intended for reuse within the courthouse or elsewhere by the City but were slated for auction.
The “Save a Watt” program, while perhaps well-intentioned in principle, demonstrated a profound lack of foresight and disregard for the architectural integrity of 60 Centre Street Manhattan. It was, in effect, an act of despoliation.
Negotiations led to a partial compromise. Pendent globes were preserved and some ceiling globes were salvaged. However, most of the bronze ceiling sconces, estimated to number over 200, were removed and replaced with the cheap plastic and tin “fixtures.” These inferior replacements remain in place today at 60 Centre Street Manhattan, many broken, missing covers, or non-functional, a constant reminder of this misguided program.
Had Judge Dudley and Mr. Goodman not intervened, the losses at 60 Centre Street Manhattan would have been far greater. However, the implemented compromise still resulted in significant damage to the building’s architectural heritage. The tragedy is compounded by the fact that readily available LED technology today would have rendered the entire “Save a Watt” program unnecessary.
Architectural details were paramount to Guy Lowell’s vision for 60 Centre Street Manhattan, and their destruction diminishes our cultural heritage. The City should rectify the enduring consequences of this “municipal malpractice.” The plastic and tin fixtures should be discarded, and replicas of the original bronze sconces, potentially fabricated by Excalibur Bronze, should be installed. Similarly, replacements for the original courtroom ceiling lights should be commissioned, mirroring the successful replacement in Room 300 under Administrative Judge Joan B. Carey in 2010, which recalled the lost Tiffany originals. This is the minimum required to honor Guy Lowell’s vision for 60 Centre Street Manhattan.
In the 1990s, another unfortunate decision led to the replacement of original hallway fire safety doors at 60 Centre Street Manhattan. Despite objections from courthouse representatives, up to 150 original doors with wire mesh safety glass, brass fittings, and faux wood graining were removed and replaced with modern, utilitarian metal doors. These replacements, deemed “ugly and pedestrian,” clash with the building’s aesthetic. The functionality of these new doors also proved problematic, often locking too securely and requiring staff to prop them open, a potential safety compromise.
This door replacement at 60 Centre Street Manhattan, along with other incidents, underscores a critical principle: original fixtures in landmark buildings should only be replaced by modern substitutes with compelling justification. Otherwise, our architectural patrimony will be steadily eroded, even with good intentions, due to a misguided tendency to undervalue the craftsmanship of the past.
Recently, the heavily used rear entrance of 60 Centre Street Manhattan was closed due to problems with the original wrought-iron doors. These elaborate, century-old doors are at risk of collapse due to hinge failure, posing a safety hazard and causing significant inconvenience. Repairs are estimated to take 18 months, a timeline viewed with skepticism given past delays in addressing maintenance issues at 60 Centre Street Manhattan.
The plight of the rear doors serves as a metaphor for the broader challenges facing 60 Centre Street Manhattan: a constant struggle against deterioration and neglect.
Positive steps have been taken to preserve original furnishings at 60 Centre Street Manhattan. Three decades ago, procedures were implemented to prevent the discarding of restorable original chairs, tables, and benches. Efforts are made to repair original pieces and salvage parts for future repairs. However, vigilance remains crucial. The recent discovery of an original courthouse chair in an inappropriate location highlights the ongoing need for careful stewardship. Similarly, the proposal to replace original courtroom jury boxes for ADA compliance raises concerns. Rather than destruction, modifications and accommodations should be prioritized to address ADA issues at 60 Centre Street Manhattan, respecting the building’s landmark status.
The story of stolen original brass door push and foot plates from courtroom and hallway doors in the 1990s concludes this account of challenges at 60 Centre Street Manhattan. The theft underscores the fundamental importance of preserving original fixtures in landmark buildings, as they are irreplaceable markers of history and craftsmanship.
In conclusion, 60 Centre Street Manhattan, a building of immense architectural and historical significance, faces ongoing challenges stemming from decades of neglect and misguided interventions. While some efforts have been made towards preservation, a renewed and sustained commitment to restoration and proper maintenance is urgently needed to safeguard this landmark for future generations. The stories of damaged murals, crumbling marble, lost Tiffany fixtures, and inadequate repairs serve as a call to action to prioritize the preservation of 60 Centre Street Manhattan before further irreplaceable damage occurs.
