Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse

The Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse is a federal judicial building in Lower Manhattan with 37 floors and a granite facade featuring Corinthian columns. The setback tower rises above a classical base and houses courtrooms as well as offices across multiple levels.

Construction took place between 1932 and 1936 under the direction of Cass Gilbert, who died shortly after the project began. His son completed the building as a response to the growing space needs of federal courts in New York.

The building received its current name in 2001 to honor Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice who built his career in federal courts. Visitors can enter the public areas during business hours and experience the daily workings of a federal appellate court.

The courthouse sits directly on Foley Square and can be reached via several subway lines that stop nearby. Visitors must pass through security screening at the entrance and should allow enough time for this process.

The library on the 25th floor spans two stories in height and combines marble floors with coffered ceilings. From there the view opens across the rooftops of Lower Manhattan toward the harbor.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1936

Architects: Cass Gilbert

Architectural style: neoclassicism

Floors above the ground: 37

GPS coordinates: 40.71361,-74.00278

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:31