The Lexington Avenue Armory, constructed between 1904-1906, is a National Historic Landmark designed in the Beaux-Arts style. Following over a century of use, the Armory’s 180,000-square-foot interior no longer meets the needs of a modern, twenty-first-century, military readiness and response facility.
Bid Opened: July 3, 2024
The Armory Rehabilitation Project will provide for the complete renovation and reprogramming of all spaces to comply with the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs' National Guard Readiness Center requirements, including:
- Replacement of the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, security, telecommunications, and fire protection systems that will bring the building into code compliance.
- Renovations to the kitchen, gymnasium, offices, assembly, classrooms, and myriad storage spaces.
- Restoration of the armory's historic rooms, murals, staircases, entryway, and facade, and drill hall refurbishment.
- Construction of a new ADA-accessible visitor entry with an elevator and stairway and a new street-level vehicle ramp with new concrete flooring.
- Installation of new interior lighting and new roofing on the administration and annex buildings.
As designed, the building will qualify for LEED Gold certification.
Lexington Armory Rehabilitation Project: Entryway Rendering
Lexington Armory Rehabilitation Project: Classroom Rendering
Lexington Armory Rehabilitation Project: Prefunction Room Rendering
Lexington Armory Rehabilitation Project: Office Space Rendering
Lexington Armory Rehabilitation Project: Mezzanine Rendering
Lexington Armory Rehabilitation Project: Office Space Rendering
Lexington Armory Rehabilitation Project: Drill Hall Rendering
Lexington Armory Rehabilitation Project: Company Room Rendering
Lexington Armory Rehabilitation Project: Drill Hall Rendering
Lexington Armory Rehabilitation Project: Shower Room Rendering
The Lexington Avenue Armory, constructed between 1904-1906, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a New York City Designated Landmark. Designed by the architectural firm of Hunt & Hunt, sons of the prominent 19th-century architect Richard Morris Hunt, the Armory was built in the classically inspired Beaux-Arts style, a departure from earlier medieval-styled castellated Armory construction.
The Armory extends the entire block between 25th and 26th Streets, and extends two-thirds of the block between Lexington and Park Avenues. Following a traditional armory layout, the building is comprised of two major sections: A three-story administration building with offices, a library, classrooms, and a gymnasium; and a drill shed for military exercises and training.
The Armory's unique architectural features include a two-story mansard roof over the administration wing, and a barrel vault roof with steel trusses over the drill shed. With no interior columns, the Armory is supported entirely by thick load-bearing exterior walls.
In 1913, the Armory hosted the International Exhibition of Modern Art, commonly known as the "Armory Show." A seminal event in the history of art, the Armory Show introduced America to modern European art and artists and included works by Van Gogh, Picasso, Duchamp, Matisse, and more.
In 2023, the New York State Office of General Services, working on behalf of the Division of Military and Naval Affairs, completed a total window replacement project. All 282 of the armory's windows were replaced with insulating glass units and durable mahogany wood frames. This project was selected for the prestigious Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award – The New York Landmarks Conservancy's highest honor for historic preservation.