Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Window Views #20




Hello Everyone! Today our windows sit atop the dome of the Octagon on Roosevelt Island, N.Y.



The Octagon built in 1834 is an historic octagonal building located at 888 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York. It originally served as the main entrance to the New York City Lunatic Asylum which opened in 1841. Designed by Alexander Jackson Davis, the five-story rotunda was made of blue-gray stone that was quarried on the island. It is the last remnant of the hospital and after many years of decay and two fires was close to ruin. In 2006, restoration of the landmark was completed and the building now serves as the centerpiece of a residential community. It received LEED Silver status from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2008.

On March 16, 1972, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

I hope everyone signs Mr. Linky and leaves a comment.

And I hope you try to visit your fellow Window Views participants.

9 comments:

Gemma Wiseman said...

Love how the windows seem to accentuate the octagonal shape of the building! Especially interesting are the windows in the dome! They almost seem to emboss it!

Inday said...

If there is anything that fascinates me, it is the skillful maneuver of the architect in designing a building.

As for this Octagon, I like the windows in the dome. They look more elegant than the rest of the windows.

Mojo said...

I wonder how the residents of the residential community feel about living alongside a place with such a grim past. Beautiful as it is, you know it's got some ghastly memories.

Lew said...

Great choice, well done! It is interesting that as we create more efficient buiding methods, we lose some the the architectural touches of the past. The style of windows on the dome I don't see being built today.

Gattina said...

What a beautiful building ! Apparently it's everywhere the same, first they let it rotten and then they try to save what is saveable ! It always makes me angry.

MaR said...

I love the top little windows...

kayerj said...

impressive windows in the dome, I do love your little shuttered window in your header. If you’d like to drop by and see my sepia scene & window views, they are here. thanks!

Unknown said...

Oh, the stories those windows could tell!

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

That is quite an array of windows!