History and architecture
The New York City Hall is the most beautiful city hall in the United states.
It was designed in competition in the Federal Style of architecture with considerable French influence. It is basically C-shaped in plan with two end wings projected forward at the front. This fine marble building consists of two stories above a high basement. At the center an attic story rises above the main roof level and is surmounted by a handsome domed cupola.
In front of the central section, of the building, an imposing porch with columns rises above a sweuping flight of stairs which approach it from three sides. The roof of the porch, with a railing (balustrade), forms an open deck in front of five large arched windows set between columns. The great size of these second floor windows relative to the masonry surraunding them is reminiscent of the famous French palace greenhouses (orangeries) and represents a radical piece of design for this country in Federal times.
Historically, City Hall is important as the building which, for over one hundred and fifty years, has been the seat of City government. Through its doors have passed all the great personages most intimately connected with the development of this City. Many portraits of these notables adorn its walls today. In addition it has done honor to the dead. The bodies of Lincoln and Grant have lain in state within its walls.
The architectural importance of this building is to be found in its superb proportions and in the beautiful French detail of its exterior and central rotunda. This part of the design may be attributed to the French architect in producing this masterpiece.
The more strictly Federal detail of the handsome interior rooms has been attributed to McComb and is typical of the Federal work being designed in this country at that time.
Sources and further reading
This history comes from the Landmarks app’s historical catalog. Names and building uses may reflect the period described.