1950s — Present: The Ruin
In the 1950s, the structure was abandoned and has been uninhabited since. Over the last sixty-five years, the building has become a ruin.
Significant Architectural Details of the structure
Historic American Buildings Survey
Due to the building's importance to American history, it was photographed by the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1983. In the 80s, much more of the structure existed than exists today.
Today, the building’s roof no longer exists, the interiors have been stripped of floor slabs, and stairwells and the windows are no longer intact. What exists of the building is largely its shell. Remnants of its original architectural detailing including crenellation on the roofline and parapets, the cupola and porch at the building’s entry, and nearly all of the pointed arches at the windows remain. Unfiltered light streams in from overhead and plants now grow among the rubble at the building’s core. The building is fenced off from the public and much of the shell has been braced with steel shoring.
The ruin's exterior walls exist and have been braced with temporary bracing
Landmark Status
The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and was then added to the New York State Register of Historic Places in 1980. In 1976, the building was designated a New York City Landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). Read the full LPC report here.