Long Island City Courthouse

Long Island City Courthouse Complex
NYC Landmark #LP-0925
Long Island City Courthouse
Location 25-10 Court Sq., Long Island City, New York
Coordinates 40°44′45″N 73°56′35″W / 40.74583°N 73.94306°W / 40.74583; -73.94306Coordinates: 40°44′45″N 73°56′35″W / 40.74583°N 73.94306°W / 40.74583; -73.94306
Area 2 acres (0.81 ha)
Built 1876
Architect Hathorne, George; Coco, Peter M.
Architectural style Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals, Neo-English Renaissance
NRHP reference # 83001776[1]
NYCL # LP-0925
Significant dates
Added to NRHP September 26, 1983
Designated NYCL May 11, 1976

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, which also sits in Jamaica. The courthouse was originally designed by the architect George Hathorne and built in 1874. It was remodeled and enlarged by Peter M. Coco in 1904 after a fire destroyed a portion of it. It was considered to be one of the most important buildings in Queens County.

In its remodeling 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. Two jails were formerly part of the complex, but were replaced by 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 was designated a New York City landmark in 1976,[2] and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983.

The location was decided on as the Queens County Seat moved from Jamaica to Long Island City, due to access to nearby trainsportation. An article in Newsday, written by staff writer Geoffrey Mohan, writes of the relocation of the Queens County Courthouse from Garden City Park, Nassau County, and then to Long Island City. Mohan refers to this relocation as one of decades of controversy, and possible reasons contributing to Nassau County's secession from Queens.[3]

The courthouse and its surrounding complex has undergone rejuvenation and renovations in the mid-2000s. 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."[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. ↑ New York State Supreme Court, Queens County, Long Island City Branch (New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission)
  3. ↑ Newsday Archived February 16, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ Renovation Article at Queens Chronicle

Further reading


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