One of the last buildings by the elder Cass Gilbert, this courthouse combines a monumental portico with a tower topped by terra cotta and gold leaf, recalling the designs of Gilbert`s nearby Woolworth and New York Life buildings.
Renamed in 2001 after the nation's 1st black Supreme Court Justice who was nominated by JFK to the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in 1961.
It was among the first federal skyscrapers constructed.
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The courthouse was originally known as the Foley Square Courthouse.
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The building has two major parts, the base and the tower. Including both, the building is 590 feet tall and 37 stories.
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The six-story courthouse base is marked by a pilastered facade and a colonnade. Built around three interior courtyards, it is rusticated and irregularly shaped, following the outline of the site.
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Massive granite steps flanked by large pedestals lead up to the main entrance on Foley Square.
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Aerial view, 1936 A 30-story square tower is 590 feet in height and is set back from the base parallel to the front of the building.
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The tower is set back slightly on the 27th floor, marked by urns at the corners.
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The roof of the tower is pyramidal, pitched steeply, and made of terracotta, with a gold leaf, with a small open lantern, also gold-glazed terracotta, at the top.
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Interior view
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The building contains 35 courtrooms
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All courtrooms have wood-paneled walls with colossal round arches and fluted Ionic pilasters
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Elevator Lobby - Richly ornamental bronzework surrounds many of the interior doors, including those of the elevators
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The bronze detailing on the doors features an unusual combination of metaphorical images related to law and government, including dolphins, an erudite if somewhat obscure symbol of birth and democratic ideals.