Located at the prominent address of 1 Centre Street in New York, NY 10007, the David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building stands as a testament to early 20th-century monumental skyscraper design and serves as a vital hub for New York City governance.
Constructed between 1909 and 1914, this architectural marvel was conceived by William M. Kendall of the renowned firm McKim, Mead & White. The NYC 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,” highlighting its enduring aesthetic and historical importance.
A Colossus of City Government at 1 Centre Street
Strategically positioned at the intersection of Chambers and Centre Streets, just east of City Hall Park and north of the Brooklyn Bridge Manhattan entrance, 1 Centre Street is more than just an address; it’s a central point of civic activity. This colossal structure ranks among the world’s largest government office buildings, accommodating over 2,000 employees from numerous municipal agencies within its nearly one million square feet of office space.
The building at 1 Centre Street houses key city officials, including the City Comptroller, the Public Advocate, and the Manhattan Borough President. It also serves as the headquarters for the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, responsible for the building’s management. Furthermore, crucial departments like the Department of Finance, the Tax Commission, the Civil Service Commission, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, and the Office of Payroll Administration are all located at 1 Centre Street. Even field units of the Mayor’s Office and departments like Buildings, Environmental Protection, and Information Technology and Telecommunications maintain a presence here.
With 25 floors in its main structure and a 15-story central tower, 1 Centre Street is a bustling center. Approximately 1,000 individuals utilize the various services and agencies within its walls daily. Adding to its public accessibility, CityStore, the Official Store of the City of New York, operates on the ground level, offering books, gifts, and New York City souvenirs.
Architectural Grandeur Embodied at 1 Centre Street
The architectural design of 1 Centre Street is a captivating blend of Roman, Italian Renaissance, and Classical styles, primarily constructed from limestone. A defining feature is its open plaza, seemingly carved from the building’s first three stories, and distinguished by Corinthian columns. This plaza seamlessly transitions into a grand triumphal arch, inspired by the Arch of Constantine. Historically, this arch was so substantial that it accommodated automobile traffic before Chambers Street’s traffic patterns were modified. Today, this barrel-vaulted passageway welcomes pedestrian traffic.
Beneath its classical facade, 1 Centre Street boasts modern innovation. It was the first building in New York City to integrate a subway station into its base. The subway entrance on the south side features an arcaded plaza adorned with impressive Guastavino tile vaulting.
Dominating the central tower is “Civic Fame,” a 20-foot gilded statue sculpted by Adolph Weinman. This hollow copper female figure, standing barefoot on a sphere, is adorned with a flowing dress and a laurel crown symbolizing glory. She holds a five-pointed crown in her left hand, representing the five boroughs of New York City: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.
Sculptural details and reliefs enrich the exterior of 1 Centre Street. The central arch mirrors the Roman style of the Arch of Constantine. Rectangular allegorical panels grace the side arches. To the north, “Civic Duty” depicts a woman representing the City with a child holding the city seal. On the south, “Civic Pride” portrays the city receiving tribute from citizens. Adolph Weinman also designed shields featured in elevators, moldings, and above the 22nd floor, symbolizing New Amsterdam, the Province of New York, the City of New York, the County of New York, and the State of New York.
A History Rooted in New York City’s Growth at 1 Centre Street
The need for 1 Centre Street arose from New York City’s rapid expansion in the late 19th century. By 1884, City Hall was insufficient for the burgeoning city’s administrative needs, which served a population exceeding one million. Many essential government agencies were scattered across rented offices north of Wall Street, extending into Midtown.
Mayor Franklin Edson recognized this issue in 1884, noting City Hall’s overcrowding and architectural limitations for expansion. The persistent space shortage and the city’s desire to reduce rent expenses led Mayor Abraham Hewitt to establish a commission in 1888 to find a site and solicit building designs. Four architectural competitions occurred between 1888 and 1907. The final competition, managed by the Commissioner of Bridges, was partially prompted by land acquisition for a trolley terminal connected to the Brooklyn Bridge. Twelve firms participated, and William M. Kendall’s design, inspired by Liverpool’s Royal Liver Building, won the commission.
By 1908, New York City encompassed five boroughs and over 4.5 million residents. Construction of 1 Centre Street, destined to be a global leader in government office buildings, commenced in 1909.
1 Centre Street: From Completion to Landmark Status
Completed in 1914, 1 Centre Street began partial operation in January 1913, fully opening by 1916. The total project cost, including land, reached $9 million. The building achieved landmark status from the City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1966 and underwent major renovations, most recently completed in 1993.
For years, 1 Centre Street was famed for hosting over 30,000 annual civil marriage ceremonies at the City Clerk’s Office. In 2009, this office relocated to 141 Worth Street. On October 15, 2015, Mayor Bill de Blasio renamed the Manhattan Municipal Building as the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building, honoring the former Mayor’s extensive public service. This building at 1 Centre Street holds a significant connection to Mayor Dinkins, who served there for 14 years as City Clerk and Manhattan Borough President before becoming New York City’s first African American Mayor and moving to City Hall.
Mayor de Blasio 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.”
The David N. Dinkins Municipal Building at 1 Centre Street remains an architecturally significant landmark in New York City. Paul Goldberger, a renowned architecture critic, praised it as an exemplar of “sensitive urbanism,” a description equally applicable to Mayor Dinkins’ leadership.
The David N. Dinkins Municipal Building, located at 1 Centre Street, is officially designated as a New York City Landmark, securing its place in the city’s rich architectural and governmental history.
