New York City Hall

Address:New York, New York

Come visit the seat of New York power at New York City Hall. A French Renaissance structure located in City Hall Park in Manhattan between Broadway, Park Row, and Chambers Street, New York City Hall is the oldest city hall in the United States still used for its original governmental functions.

Designed by Joseph François Mangin and John McComb, Jr., New York City Hall was completed in 1816. Since then, it has been seen as one of the best architectural achievements of its era. Large arched windows, delicate ornamental swags, and decorative Ionic and Corinthian-style columns show the French influence on Mangin and McComb's use of Federal style in designing New York City Hall. The building is also home to a superb collection of 108 paintings spanning from the late 18th century through to the 20th. New York City Hall was designated as a National Historic Site in 1960, and was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1966. The steps of New York City Hall have frequently served as the site of protests and press conferences concerning city politics.

Today, New York City Hall hosts the Governor's Room, used for official receptions, the Blue Room, used for mayoral press conferences and bill-signings, and Room 9, the historic press room. New York City Hall also boasts a collection of over 100 outstanding portraits by leading late-18th century to mid-19th century American artists such as Charles Wesley Jarvis, Rembrandt Peale, and John Trumbull. Free tours of New York City Hall, including the portrait collection, are offered on weekdays, though visitors must call ahead to make a reservation. After the tour, visitors here will find literally hundreds of restaurants within easy walking distance, serving up everything from fast food to baked goods to health food.

To reach New York City Hall, take the R line from Queens Boulevard, or the W line from Astoria-Ditmars Boulevard, to the City Hall/Broadway station. Go to New York City Hall and see an architectural marvel that retains its purpose: to serve the people of New York City.