The Renwick Smallpox Hospital on Roosevelt Island was built in 1856 from designs by James Renwick, Jr. It is the only landmarked ruin in New York City. Being a ruin is what gives it an air of mystery and charm.
Sources:
- Renwick Smallpox Hospital: An Abandoned Sanatorium in Manhattan, NY (opacity.us)
- Roosevelt Island Historical Society (rihs.us)
- wikipedia.org/Smallpox_Hospital
Wow, these are wonderful photos.
Glad you enjoyed this series. Thanks.
It looks like something Edward Gorey would have drawn. The crenels and merlons give it a fortress-like appearance: appropriate, given its purpose. The windows are an especially nice touch.
Goreyesque is an apt description. Which is what I was thinking when I photographed it. I processed it to look spooky.
What a great old ruin
I love it too. Looks like they will keep it that way.
OK!
I saw this many years ago. I’m glad to see it’s still standing. I agree, I wish they would stabilize it.
It is stabilized and well maintained as a ruin. All the metal rods and supports interfered with my photography.
You did a great job of photographing this abandoned hospital, Sherry. Moody and mysterious. The helicopter above is a really nice touch.
Thanks Jet. I did my best to enhance the spookiness. It is my favorite old structure on Roosevelt Island.
Beautiful landmark. The facade is in relative good shape. Do they plan to integrate the facade into a new building ? They did so several times here in Antwerp city.
I don’t think so. The facade is not intact enough. It has been a ruin a long time and was stabilized in the1970’s. It is by itself on the island.
Actually the hospital ruined , can renovate and be a beautiful building ? My comment 🌷🙏🌷
Perhaps it could be nicely renovated. The romantic old ruin as it is appeals to me. I wish they would stabilize it better so we could see it without the metal supports and fences.