Fort Washington Avenue Armory
The Fort Washington Avenue Armory is a large red brick building near the Washington Heights neighborhood with neoclassical details from the early 1900s. It spans three floors with various spaces, including a striking drill shed with a curved ceiling, terrazzo floors, glazed brick walls, and original murals from the 1930s still visible inside.
The building was constructed from 1909 to 1911 to serve as a barracks for the 22nd Corps of Engineers, which traced its roots to the Civil War era. After World War II, the regiment merged with other units and was eventually disbanded, then later served as a homeless shelter before being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
The building takes its name from Fort Washington Avenue and was home to the 22nd Regiment of Engineers, historically known as the Union Grays. It has always served as a gathering place for community events, from military assemblies to sports festivals that continue to draw people from across the city.
Located in Washington Heights, the building is easy to access with balconies that can seat over 2,000 people in the large drill shed, making it especially suitable for sports events. The top floor with its 200-meter track operates year-round and can accommodate various events from college to professional competitions.
The facility became home to the Millrose Games, a famous indoor track event that moved here from Madison Square Garden in 2012, making it one of the fastest indoor running tracks in the world. Today it also houses the National Track and Field Hall of Fame with exhibits about Olympic athletes and the history of the New York Marathon.
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