Samuel Harris - Renwick Lighthouse

The 50-foot-tall Gothic-style lighthouse on Roosevelt Island, designed by James Renwick Jr. and built in 1872, was constructed from gray gneiss at the island’s northern tip to aid ships navigating the once-dangerous waters of the East River. Decommissioned in 1940, it was designated a New York City landmark in 1976 and became part of the 30-acre Lighthouse Park. A careful blend of historic preservation and modern engineering has since restored the structure, repairing original materials and introducing new elements, including remotely operated RGBW lighting, ensuring its continued presence as a beacon of light and visibility for the island and surrounding boroughs.

Aerial image of site

Non original observation deck, guardrail and lantern house

Observation deck and guardrail in disrepair

Ornately carved stone band of stylized leaves

Archive photo ca 1975 - Museum of the City of New York

HABS photo Welfare Island ca 1933 - Library of Congress

HABS photo lighthouse entrance ca 1933 - Library of Congress

Archive photo ca 1895 - Museum of the City of New York

Panorama of Blackwell's Island, NY by Thomas A. Edison, Inc., 1903 - Library of Congress

Architectural general arrangement drawing excerpt

Architectural section detail drawing excerpt

Architectural plan and section detail drawing excerpt

Restored lighthouse with modern interpretation lantern house based on original James Renwick, Jr. design

Aerial view looking north

Aerial view looking south

Modern interpretation of the original James Renwick Jr lantern house utilizing a clear and black colored glass curtain wall system for the wall and roof

View of lighthouse looking north at night

Drone video of recently completed lighthouse rehabilitation project located at Lighthouse Park