Pier A Harbor House

Pier A Harbor House is a masonry pier extending about 285 feet (87 meters) into the Hudson River with a four-story building topped by a clock tower. The structure now operates as a public event space with dining and exhibition areas spread across its multiple levels.

This structure was built in 1886 and originally served as the administrative headquarters for the New York City Docks Department. Police and fire department offices later occupied it until 1992, when they relocated and the building was repurposed.

The clock tower added in 1919 marks the first World War I memorial built in the United States, honoring those who fell in service. Visitors today can see this quiet tribute and understand how early the nation began to remember the war.

The site connects to Battery Park through pedestrian and bike paths with multiple subway stations and bus stops nearby for easy access. The waterfront walkway offers various entry points and is generally accessible year-round, though it can be windy in rough weather.

This is the only surviving masonry pier of its kind in Manhattan, displaying Victorian engineering and stonework rarely seen in modern construction. The technical skill of the craftwork and the structure's durability over time make it a striking example of 19th-century building craftsmanship.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1880s

GPS coordinates: 40.70441,-74.01790

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:41