The Octagon, Former mental asylum in Roosevelt Island, Manhattan, US
The Octagon is a five-story rotunda constructed from blue-gray stone on Roosevelt Island, featuring a central tower with a spiral staircase inside. The structure showcases classical architectural details and now functions as an entry point to a residential complex.
The building opened in 1839 as one of America's first mental health institutions, designed by architect Alexander Jackson Davis. It marked the beginning of a new approach to treating mental illness in the country.
Journalist Nellie Bly exposed the conditions at the asylum through her 1887 investigation, documented in her book Ten Days in a Mad-House.
The restored building now serves residents and visitors with amenities including a pool, playground, tennis courts, and sports fields. The location is accessible and offers plenty of public areas to explore.
The building was fitted with sustainable technology during restoration, including solar panels and fuel cells that generate over half of the energy needed. These modern systems are subtly integrated into the historic structure.
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