Knights of Columbus Building

The Knights of Columbus Building is a modernist skyscraper in downtown New Haven featuring a distinctive design of five towers anchored by four concrete cylinders at the corners. These corner towers support major longitudinal beams and the structure contains 23 floors of office space with integrated mechanical systems throughout.

The building was completed in 1969 by architects Kevin Roche and John Dinkeloo as the headquarters for the Roman Catholic fraternal service organization. Its construction marked a significant moment in New Haven's post-war architectural development.

The four cylindrical corner towers symbolize the core values of the Knights of Columbus: Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. This symbolism shapes the building's visual identity and how people perceive its purpose.

The building is located at One Columbus Plaza and stands about 98 meters tall with office spaces featuring clear ceiling heights. Access may be limited since it functions as a private office building for the organization.

The exterior features bronze-toned paving stones that clad the concrete cylinders, giving the facade a warm metallic appearance. This unexpected cladding softens the raw quality of the modernist concrete design in a subtle way.

Location: New Haven

Inception: 1969

Architects: Roche-Dinkeloo

Floors above the ground: 23

GPS coordinates: 41.30260,-72.92740

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:40