Located at the iconic address of 1 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007, the David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building stands as a testament to early 20th-century monumental skyscraper design. A true landmark, this building is not just an office space; it’s a historical and architectural marvel that houses key functions of New York City government.
Constructed between 1909 and 1914, this impressive structure was the brainchild of architect William M. Kendall from the renowned firm McKim, Mead & White. The Landmarks Preservation Commission aptly described it in 1966 as “…an imposing building of real beauty… one of the few monumental skyscrapers of the early part of the Twentieth Century.” This statement still rings true today, highlighting the building’s enduring architectural significance.
A Giant in Government Buildings: Exploring 1 Centre Street’s Scale and Purpose
Positioned at the intersection of Chambers and Centre Streets, 1 Centre Street is strategically located east of City Hall Park and just north of the Manhattan entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge. Its sheer size is remarkable, ranking among the largest government office buildings globally. Within its walls, nearly 1 million square feet of office space accommodates over 2,000 employees from a diverse range of city agencies.
The building serves as a central hub for numerous New York City departments and officials. Notably, it houses the offices of three elected officials: the City Comptroller, the Public Advocate, and the Manhattan Borough President. Furthermore, it acts as the headquarters for the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, the very agency responsible for managing this colossal structure. Other vital city entities calling 1 Centre Street home include the Department of Finance, the Tax Commission, the Civil Service Commission, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, and the Office of Payroll Administration. Even field units of significant departments like the Mayor’s Office, Department of Buildings, Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications maintain a presence here.
With 25 floors in its main section and a soaring 15-story central tower, 1 Centre Street is a bustling center of activity. Every day, over 1,000 individuals utilize the various services and agencies located within. For visitors and locals alike, CityStore, the Official Store of the City of New York, offers a unique retail experience on the ground floor, selling books, gifts, collectibles, and souvenirs celebrating New York City.
Architectural Grandeur: Unpacking the Design of 1 Centre Street
The architectural design of 1 Centre Street is a captivating blend of Roman, Italian Renaissance, and Classical styles, all rendered in impressive limestone. A defining feature is the open plaza, seemingly carved from the building’s first three stories and framed by stately Corinthian columns. This plaza seamlessly transitions into a grand triumphal arch, clearly inspired by the iconic Arch of Constantine. Such was the scale of this arch that it once accommodated automobile traffic before changes to Chambers Street traffic patterns. Today, this barrel-vaulted passageway provides an impressive pedestrian route.
Beneath its classical façade, 1 Centre Street incorporates modern engineering innovation. It holds the distinction of being the first building in New York City to integrate a subway station into its base. The subway entrance on the building’s south side is accessed through an arcaded plaza, notable for its dramatic Guastavino tile vaulted ceilings, adding another layer of architectural interest.
Crowning the central tower is the striking gilded statue “Civic Fame,” a 20-foot tall masterpiece by sculptor Adolph Weinman. This hollow copper sculpture depicts a barefoot female figure standing on a sphere, adorned with a flowing gown and a laurel crown symbolizing glory. In her left hand, she proudly holds a five-pointed crown, representing the five boroughs that comprise New York City: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.
The building’s exterior is further enriched with diverse sculptures and reliefs. The central arch echoes the Roman style of the Arch of Constantine, while rectangular allegorical panels adorn the side arches. To the north, “Civic Duty” is depicted as a woman symbolizing the City, accompanied by a child holding the city seal. On the south side, “Civic Pride” portrays the city’s female personification receiving tribute from citizens. Adolph Weinman’s artistic contributions extend beyond “Civic Fame”; he also designed shields featured in the elevators, above the colonnade, and on the false colonnade above the 22nd floor. These shields represent the historical layers of New York: New Amsterdam, the Province of New York (under English rule), the City of New York, the County of New York, and the State of New York, offering a visual narrative of the city’s evolution.
From Crowded City Hall to Landmark Status: The History of 1 Centre Street
The story of 1 Centre Street begins with the rapid growth of New York City in the late 19th century. By 1884, the city’s population had surpassed one million, overwhelming the capacity of City Hall. Mayor Franklin Edson, in his 1884 report, highlighted City Hall’s inadequacy, noting its architectural limitations for expansion without compromising its symmetry.
The escalating need for space and the city’s desire to reduce rental costs led to the formation of a commission in 1888, tasked with site selection and plan solicitation. Four architectural competitions were held between 1888 and 1907. The final competition, initiated by the Commissioner of Bridges (whose agency needed land for a Brooklyn Bridge trolley terminal), attracted twelve architectural firms. William M. Kendall, a young partner at McKim, Mead and White, won the competition with a design inspired by Liverpool’s Royal Liver Building.
By 1908, when Kendall’s design was chosen, New York City had expanded to five boroughs and a population exceeding 4.5 million. Construction commenced in 1909, giving rise to what would become one of the world’s largest government office buildings at 1 Centre Street, New York.
Completed in 1914, with initial occupancy in January 1913, 1 Centre Street was largely operational by 1916. The total project cost, including land acquisition, reached $9 million. The building achieved landmark status in 1966, designated by the City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission. It has undergone two major renovations, the most recent concluding in 1993, ensuring its continued functionality and preservation.
For many years, 1 Centre Street was famously known as the location of the City Clerk’s Office, where over 30,000 marriages were performed annually in quick civil ceremonies. However, in 2009, the City Clerk’s Office relocated to 141 Worth Street. In a significant ceremony on October 15, 2015, Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray officially renamed the Manhattan Municipal Building in honor of former Mayor David N. Dinkins, recognizing his extensive public service career. This renaming was particularly fitting given Mayor Dinkins’ deep connection to 1 Centre Street, where he served for 14 years as City Clerk and Manhattan Borough President before becoming the city’s first African American Mayor and moving to City Hall.
Mayor de Blasio eloquently stated at the renaming ceremony, “Those of us who were lucky to serve in the Dinkins Administration had the honor of serving a leader who took challenges head on… He’s left an indelible impact on this city – and on Chirlane’s and my lives. We are so grateful for Mayor Dinkins’ decades of public service and everything he’s done to ensure a stronger, safer city. I can’t think of a more fitting tribute than to rename the Municipal Building, where he spent 14 years of his career, in his honor.”
A Lasting Legacy at 1 Centre Street
The David N. Dinkins Municipal Building at 1 Centre Street, New York remains a vital architectural and governmental landmark in New York City. Acclaimed architecture critic Paul Goldberger praised the building as embodying “sensitive urbanism,” a description that resonates with Mayor Dinkins’ approach to governance. As a designated New York City Landmark, the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building at 1 Centre Street stands as a lasting symbol of civic pride and architectural excellence.
