18/03/2024
By 1928, the population of the Bronx had exploded. This population boom made it clear that the young county had outgrown the beautiful 1915 Beaux Art courthouse on 161st and Third Avenue. The borough therefore bought the land at 161st Street and Grand Concourse (at the time it was Mott Avenue) for the new courthouse. Architects Joseph Friedlander and Max Hausle were commissioned to design the building. Work began in 1931 and was completed in 1934. The result was a twelve story fortress that had elements of both the Neoclassical and Art Deco styles.
Works of art were commissioned for both the exterior and interior. Charles Keck created a classical style frieze at the third floor that wrapped around the entire building depicting "the activities of the universal working man". Another frieze wraps around the building near the roof, with a repeating pattern of eagles and Art Deco designs.
Four artists were commissioned to create two monumental sculptures each of pink Georgia marble to be placed on the terrace of each side of the building.
Four murals by James Monroe Hewitt were unveiled shortly after the opening of the court. These large murals were placed in the Veterans Memorial Hall and depicted not always accurate scenes of Bronx history.
In 1976, at a time when much of the South Bronx was burning, the Landmarks Preservation Committee declared the courthouse an NYC landmark. The interior, however, was not designated so that is not protected. In this century, the facade, the statues, and the murals have happily been restored, although a sidewalk shed continues to cover much of the Court's base.
