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Manhattan Detention Complex

Manhattan House of Detention, The Tombs

New York City, New York

Justice

Architect

6 total, Show more

John Haviland

Frederick Clarke Withers

Walter Dickson

Harvey Wiley Corbett

Description

Also known as the Tombs. the colloquial name for the Manhattan Detention Complex (formerly the Bernard B. Kerik Complex), a municipal jail in Lower Manhattan at 125 White Street, as well as the nickname for three previous city-run jails in the former Five Points neighborhood of lower Manhattan, an area now known as the Civic Center. The four buildings known as The Tombs were:

Constructed, 1838

Tombs I, 1838–1902. The original Tombs was officially known as the Halls of Justice, built-in 1838 in the Egyptian Revival architecture style.

Rebuilt, 1902

New York City Halls of Justice and House of Detention Tombs II, 1902–1941,

Rebuilt, 1941

City Prison Tombs III, 1941–1974, Manhattan House of Detention was closed by Federal Judge Morris E Lasker in 1974 because of its poor conditions and replaced by the Manhattan Detention Complex.

Addition and Renovation, 1983

Manhattan House of Detention Tombs IV, 1983/1990–2023,Manhattan Detention Complex (known as the Bernard B. Kerik Complex from 2001 to 2006) - 2023

Demolished, 2023

Related Sites

William Sharkey's Escape

New York City blackout of 1977

Bridewell Prison-The Tombs were built to replace the Bridewell Prison located in City Hall Park, built-in 1735 and demolished in 1838. The new structure incorporated material from the Bridewell to save money, mainly granite.

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