Battery Maritime Building Project Inches Forward

Plans to construct a glass addition to the top of the Battery Maritime Building moved a little closer to fruition this week with the approval of Community Board 1. The New York Post reports that the Board was a little concerned about the scale of the glass addition that will be added to the century-old structure, but that something productive had to be done with the building to ensure its continued existence. Plans by the Dermot Company include the installation of a 140-room boutique hotel, a restaurant, a lounge, and a specialty foods marketplace.

In October 2007, the Rogers Marvel Architects design got seals of approval from the American Institute of Architects, the New York Landmarks Conservancy, and the Municipal Arts Society. This Historic Districts Council opposed the proposed design. Community Board 1's approval is only advisory, but it's another step forward for the project.

The Battery Maritime Building was completed in the first decade of the 20th century (different sources provide different dates of completion). It's a beautiful steel and copper structure featuring Guastavino tiles under the South St. porches. A multi-million dollar renovation that took several years was performed to preserve the building and in anticipation of expanded use. For decades, the building's only use was to ferry people back and forth from Governors Island.