Long Island City Courthouse Complex
Encyclopedia
The Long Island City Courthouse is located at 25-10 Court Square in Long Island City, Queens
, in New York City
. It formerly housed Criminal Court, County Court, the District Attorney staff, and the county sheriff's office. Today the Courthouse is another home to the Civil Term of Supreme Court, Queens County. (Civil Term also sits in Jamaica). The courthouse was designed by the architect George Hathorne. It was considered to be one of the most important buildings in Queens County. It was built in 1874, but remodeled and enlarged in 1904 after a fire destroyed a portion of it.
The building was raised from two stories to four stories in order to accommodate the needs of the court. The courthouse is designed in what has been variously described as a Neo-English Renaissance
, neoclassical, or Beaux Arts architectural style
and is made of stone, ceramic tile, limestone, and metal. The current courthouse was designed by Peter M. Coco in 1904.
Two jail
s were formerly part of the complex, but were turned into a parking garage in 1988. The parking structure was designed by Chicago-based architectural firm
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
.
The Long Island City Courthouse complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
, and was designated a New York City landmark in 1976.
The location was decided on as the Queens County Seat moved from Jamaica
to Long Island City, due to access to nearby train lines.
An article in Newsday written by staff writer Geoffrey Mohan
gives an interesting historical account of the relocation of the Queens County Courthouse from Garden City Park, Nassau County, and then to Long Island City, and refers to this relocation as one of decades of controversy, and possible reasons contributing to county secession.
The courthouse and its surrounding complex has undergone rejuvenation and renovations in the past few years.
Liz Skalka, a Chronicle correspondent, reported on August 24, 2006 that:
"The ornate courthouse began undergoing repairs in May that included renovations on its brick exterior and new roofing on the main building and its wings. Both are to protect against water damage. A prominent third floor courtroom, noted for its two story stained glass ceiling, is also being restored, and will receive new wooden flooring similar to its original. The entire project is expected to take about a year."
Long Island City, Queens
Long Island City is the westernmost neighborhood of the borough of Queens in New York City. L.I.C. is notable for its rapid and ongoing gentrification, its waterfront parks, and its thriving arts community. L.I.C. has among the highest concentration of art galleries, art institutions, and studio...
, in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. It formerly housed Criminal Court, County Court, the District Attorney staff, and the county sheriff's office. Today the Courthouse is another home to the Civil Term of Supreme Court, Queens County. (Civil Term also sits in Jamaica). The courthouse was designed by the architect George Hathorne. It was considered to be one of the most important buildings in Queens County. It was built in 1874, but remodeled and enlarged in 1904 after a fire destroyed a portion of it.
The building was raised from two stories to four stories in order to accommodate the needs of the court. The courthouse is designed in what has been variously described as a Neo-English Renaissance
English Renaissance
The English Renaissance was a cultural and artistic movement in England dating from the late 15th and early 16th centuries to the early 17th century. It is associated with the pan-European Renaissance that is usually regarded as beginning in Italy in the late 14th century; like most of northern...
, neoclassical, or Beaux Arts architectural style
Architectural style
Architectural styles classify architecture in terms of the use of form, techniques, materials, time period, region and other stylistic influences. It overlaps with, and emerges from the study of the evolution and history of architecture...
and is made of stone, ceramic tile, limestone, and metal. The current courthouse was designed by Peter M. Coco in 1904.
Two jail
Jail
A jail is a short-term detention facility in the United States and Canada.Jail may also refer to:In entertainment:*Jail , a 1966 Malayalam movie*Jail , a 2009 Bollywood movie...
s were formerly part of the complex, but were turned into a parking garage in 1988. The parking structure was designed by Chicago-based architectural firm
Architectural firm
An architectural firm is a company which employs one or more licensed architects and practices the profession of architecture.- History :Architects have existed since early in recorded history. The earliest recorded architects include Imhotep and Senemut . No writings exist to describe how these...
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP is an American architectural and engineering firm that was formed in Chicago in 1936 by Louis Skidmore and Nathaniel Owings; in 1939 they were joined by John O. Merrill. They opened their first branch in New York City, New York in 1937. SOM is one of the largest...
.
The Long Island City Courthouse complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, and was designated a New York City landmark in 1976.
The location was decided on as the Queens County Seat moved from Jamaica
Jamaica, Queens
Jamaica is a neighborhood in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York, United States. It was settled under Dutch rule in 1656 in New Netherland as Rustdorp. Under British rule, the Village of Jamaica became the center of the "Town of Jamaica"...
to Long Island City, due to access to nearby train lines.
Further reading
- Long Island City Courthouse at www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com
- Renovation Article at Queens Chronicle
- Brief but informative information of Queens Landmarks by Queens Tribune
An article in Newsday written by staff writer Geoffrey Mohan
gives an interesting historical account of the relocation of the Queens County Courthouse from Garden City Park, Nassau County, and then to Long Island City, and refers to this relocation as one of decades of controversy, and possible reasons contributing to county secession.
The courthouse and its surrounding complex has undergone rejuvenation and renovations in the past few years.
Liz Skalka, a Chronicle correspondent, reported on August 24, 2006 that:
"The ornate courthouse began undergoing repairs in May that included renovations on its brick exterior and new roofing on the main building and its wings. Both are to protect against water damage. A prominent third floor courtroom, noted for its two story stained glass ceiling, is also being restored, and will receive new wooden flooring similar to its original. The entire project is expected to take about a year."