Morningside Heights Architecture and Landmarks

Selected Sites

Plant and Scrymser Pavilion
Architecture

*Plant and Scrymser Pavilion, St. Luke’s Hospital

Constructed 1904-1906 & 1926-1928 Designed by Ernest Flagg Description: St. Luke’s Hospital began treating patients in 1854 and built their hospital in 1892. The buildings were both designed in a French Renaissance Revival style with pinkish gray granite, marble, terra cotta, and brick. Ernest Flagg is reported to compare the

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Buell Hall Landmark

Buell Hall

Date Constructed: 1885 Designed By: Ralph Townsend Description: Prior to Columbia University’s move to Morningside Heights, the Bloomingdale Insane Asylum operated and owned the land up until 1895. Originally called Macy Villa, Buell Hall is the only remaining building from the asylum. Buell Hall has been described as a Although

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1705 Projects Renzo Piano Building Workshop New York Columbia University Arts Science Centers 02
Architecture

Columbia University Manhattanville Campus

Campus plan designed by Renzo Piano CBS Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R) and FXCollaborative with the landscape design from James Corner Description: Located on 125th Street to 134th Street and from Broadway to 12th Avenue, the Manhattanville Campus is the most recentexpansion of Columbia University. The 17-acre property

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General Grant Memorial Landmark
Architecture

General Grant Memorial

Date Constructed: It took 12 years to build the tomb with the official opening in 1897 Designed by: John Duncan Description: Overlooking the Hudson, General Ulysses S. Grant’s Tomb contains representations of Grant’s major life events. Considered a revered military officer and politician, his popularity continued through the end of

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Interchurch Center

Constructed from 1957 – 1960 Designed By: ? Description: This 19-story limestone building was built to hold the Interchurch Center. Nicknamed the God Box, the Interchurch movement was intended to unify Christian faiths and an early phase of nondenominational Christianity. The center holds over 70 organizations who provide educational initiatives,

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International House Landmark
Architecture

International House

Founded in 1924 Designed By: Description: Founded by Harry Edmonds, International House was created with the intent to bring students together from around the world and to share their experiences through peace and understanding. Their mission is to prepare leaders of a global community by building respect, empathy, and moral

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Jewish Theological Seminary
Architecture

Jewish Theological Seminary

The original facility was constructed in 1929 and the recent addition was built in 2022. The addition was designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien. Description: Founded in 1886, the Jewish Theological Seminary is a preeminent institution of higher learning committed to Jewish tradition, Jewish values, and Jewish communities. The original

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Low Library Landmark
Architecture

Low Memorial Library

Constructed: 1895 – 1897 Designed By: McKim, Mead & White Description: Included in Columbia University’s original campus plan by McKim, Mead & White, Low Library was designed to be the core of the university. Inspired by ancient Rome’s Pantheon and built in Roman stone, this building has a powerful classic

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Manhattan School of Music
Architecture

Manhattan School of Music

Original Constructed: 1910 Designed by Donn Barber for the Institute of Musical Art Description: Moving from the city’s East Side in 1969, the Manhattan School of Music took over the Institute of Musical Art’s campus. The campus is comprised of four buildings including the three-story 1910 original building, a 1931

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Morningside Park 116th Street Staircase
Architecture

Morningside Park

Date Constructed: 1883 – 1895 Design: The 1873 plan by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux was reworked by Jacob Wrey Mould in 1880. Description: One of the four designated historic Harlem Parks, Morningside Park sits on the eastern side of the region’s cliff next to Harlem and stretches 13

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The Riverside Church Landmark
Architecture

Riverside Church

Constructed from 1928 to 1930 Designed by Henry C. Pelton, of New York, and Allen & Collens, of Boston Description: With Baptist roots, this ecumenical church has a mission of being “interdenominational, interracial, and international.” Sitting on a bluff overlooking the Hudson River, Riverside Church is a neo-gothic structure with

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Riverside Park Landmark
Architecture

Riverside Park

Date Constructed: Primarily in 1883 -1895 Landmark: NYC Designed By: The original park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, and the additions were designed by F. Stuart Williamson, Gilmore D. Clarke, and Clinton Lloyd Description: Spanning over 3.5 miles along the Hudson River, this civic improvement to

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Sakura Park
Architecture

Sakura Park

Added as an extension to Riverside Park in 1896 with a large renovation in 1932 Designed by Olmstead Brothers (1932 renovation) Description: The name “Sakura” is Japanese for cherry tree, and the park was named Sakura Park after the Committee of Japanese Residents of New York gifted New York 2,000

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Cathedral St. John the Divine
Architecture

St. John the Divine and it’s auxiliary buildings

Construction begun 1892, but the campus remains unfinished. Description: St. John the Divine’s campus has had many phases of construction and even though it is primarily complete, the campus resides unfinished. Below is a breakdown of the various phases of construction the Cathedral and its auxiliary buildings have undergone. Built

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St. Paul's Chapel
Architecture

St. Paul’s Chapel

Constructed By: 1904-1907 Designed by Howells & Stokes Description: Located in the heart of Columbia University, St. Paul’s Chapel houses hundreds of religious and university events each year. The building is a Byzantine Chapel with Italian Renaissance details, consisting of brick with limestone trim and terra cotta and bronze ornamental

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Teachers College
Architecture

Teachers College

Constructed from 1893 –1924 Description: In the late 1800s, Grace Hoadley Dodge founded a school for low-income immigrants that focused on hygiene, cooking, sewing, and other practical skills. During this time she realized that teaching should be customized using relevant materials and teaching styles according to the student’s backgrounds. Over

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Diana Center
Architecture

The Diana Center

Completed in 2010 Designed By: Weiss/Manfredi Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism Description: Built on the site of the demolished McIntosh Building from 1969, Diana Center is one of Barnard’s modern buildings integrated into the beautiful campus. Designed around Lehman Lawn, the campus is comprised of mostly historic brick buildings and the Diana Center pays

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