Excellence Award Spotlight: Roosevelt Island Lighthouse
Drone photograph showing the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse, situated at the tip of Roosevelt Island, with a view of NYC in the background.
The Roosevelt Island Lighthouse restoration was completed in 2022 after a years-long project initiated by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation. The project included restoring brick, stone, windows, and doors. Site improvements at the Lighthouse include installation of a new metal spiral staircase, new electrical and LED accent lighting, resetting and installation of new and salvaged stone pavers and curb stones, and the installation of new recessed ground lighting and controls. The project was completed by the construction team of The LIRO Group and ICC Commonwealth. The League is thrilled to recognize this work with a 2024 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award.
Designed by James Renwick Jr., the Roosevelt Island lighthouse was constructed in 1872 on the northern tip of the island to aid ships navigating the then-treacherous waters of the East River. It was decommissioned in 1940. In 1976, it was designated a New York City landmark and incorporated into the 3-acre Lighthouse Park. Over the years, it had fallen into disrepair and was subject to inappropriate repairs and alterations.
Work in progress: The new lantern being installed.
In 2019, Thomas A. Fenniman Architect was hired to create construction documents to help increase the useful life of the structure, eliminate potentially unsafe conditions, and reduce operating and maintenance expenses.
The original Renwick-designed lantern top was removed sometime during the 1920s and replaced with a "standard issue" cast iron lantern. During this project’s planning stages, the team explored the options of either restoring the extant lantern or creating a new lantern, inspired by the original Renwick design. In the end, it was decided to create a new lantern that would bring the Lighthouse design back to its original intent. This new structural glass and blackened stainless steel lantern provides a more sustainable structure to withstand the elements with less maintenance and operating costs.
The restoration and new lantern design were approved by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission under a public review.
The team behind the restoration of the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse thoughtfully considered the history, significance, and current use of the site, breathing new life into a beloved local landmark.
Project team
Owner: Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC); Architect: Thomas A Fenniman, Principal and Samuel Harris, Project Architect, Thomas A. Fenniman Architect; Owners Representative: The LiRo Group; Structural & Electrical Engineer: Norfast Engineering, PLLC; Laser Scanning & Drone Images: Berkshire Dimensions; General Contractor: ICC Commonwealth; Electrical Contractor: AMJ Electric Corp.; Stone Fabricator: Traditional Cut Stone; Metal Fabricator: Tymetal Corp.; Structural Glass Lantern Fabricator: SADEV USA; Light Fixture Manufacturer: Lumenpulse.
This Award from the Preservation League follows a 2023 Lucy Moses Award from the New York Landmarks Conservancy and a 2023 Rehabilitation Award from Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts.