Fire Watchtower

Description

Designed by architect Julius B. Kroehl, the Harlem Fire Watchtower is the only cast iron tower surviving, out of eleven constructed in New York City. Located on top of the hill in Marcus Garvey Park, it went into service in 1857 serving as a highpoint to watch for building fires. Over the years, this individual NYC Landmark structure was condemned due to extreme corrosion. Nicholson and Galloway was contracted to perform the following work.

• 8 new cast-in-place concrete foundations
• 221 pieces of the cast iron watchtower structure were dismantled and shipped to for restoration, returned to site and reconstructed
• 5,000 pound bronze bell was dismantled, shipped to Europe for restoration, returned and reinstalled
• 3,200 square feet of Belgian block removed and reset
• 10,300 square feet of bluestone pavers removed and reset
• 2,500 square feet of schist stone wall reconstruction and restoration
• 350 square feet of cedar roof rafters, rim board roof deck and copper roofing