Tweed Courthouse

The Tweed Courthouse is a major judicial building located near Civic Center in Manhattan, featuring distinctive granite facades and Corinthian columns. The structure showcases detailed stonework and combines Italianate and Romanesque architectural elements.

The building rose between 1861 and 1881 under architects John Kellum and Leopold Eidlitz as a new judicial center for Manhattan. Its construction occurred during a period of major urban expansion and modernization of New York's court system.

The central rotunda displays artistic representations of legal themes that give visitors insight into how justice was understood and valued historically. The decorative program throughout the building reflects the ideals that guided the court's work.

The building is accessible to the public and houses various city departments during regular business hours. Visitors should check in advance which areas are open and whether any special access requirements apply.

The construction required extensive quantities of marble and fine stone carvings applied carefully to both exterior and interior surfaces. This craftsmanship made the building a labor-intensive project for its era.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1872

Architects: John Kellum, Leopold Eidlitz

Architectural style: Italianate architecture, Romanesque Revival architecture in the United States

Website: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dcas/business/dcasmanagedbuildings/tweed-courthouse.page

GPS coordinates: 40.71333,-74.00556

Latest update: December 6, 2025 22:04