NYS Office of General Services and Division of Military and Naval Affairs today announced the start of a $123 million renovation project to modernize the historic Lexington Avenue Armory in New York City. The project will transform the armory’s 180,000-square-foot interior into a 21st-century space tailored to meet the needs of the modern New York Army National Guard.
New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “For over a century, the Lexington Avenue Armory has served as a crucial center for civil support operations and emergency response in Manhattan. OGS is proud to lead the long-awaited renovation of one of New York City’s most important landmarks alongside the Division of Military and Naval Affairs. This project is pertinent to the safety and security of New Yorkers living in the city and statewide and the well-being and preparedness of New York Army National Guard members who selflessly serve our state and country.”
As part of this renovation, existing security, telecommunications, and fire protection systems will be replaced. Classrooms, offices, locker rooms, and storage spaces will be upgraded to provide areas conducive to military training and coordinating civil support operations in the city. The blueprint for the armory’s renovation includes sustainable design elements expected to qualify the building for LEED Gold Certification.
Adjutant General of New York Major General Ray Shields said, “The rehabilitation of the historic Lexington Avenue Armory is transformational for our Soldiers and will ensure they have a modern facility which supports their readiness and operational needs for the next 25 years. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to turn this 120-year-old armory into a modern welcoming facility for our Soldiers and will bolster our recruitment efforts. When complete, the armory will appropriately recognize our Soldier’s commitment to our State and Nation. I cannot thank our elected officials enough for providing the federal and state funding necessary to award the construction phase of this project.”
The project’s scope of work includes preserving its distinct architectural character, building an ADA-accessible visitor entry, replacing the administration and annex buildings' roofing, refurbishing common spaces, establishing state-of-the-art training and workspace areas, and adding space for women’s locker rooms and restrooms, reflecting the increased role of women in the U.S. military.
The project is financed with $90 million in federal funding obtained by the New York Congressional delegation, led by Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, U.S. Senator Kristen Gillibrand, and Representative Jerrold Nadler, and $40 million in state dollars approved by Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. The project costs are divided, with the federal government covering approximately 75 percent of the cost and the state covering the remainder.
Design and construction companies involved in this project include Marvel Architects and Technico Construction Services, Inc. These entities conduct their work under the supervision of the NYS Office of General Services in coordination with the Division of Military and Naval Affairs.
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said, “I’m proud to have delivered $90 million in federal funding to modernize and improve the readiness of the historic 69th Regiment Armory—a national and New York City landmark and home to the distinguished Fighting 69th, the original Irish Brigade from the Civil War which leads the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The rehabilitation of the armory is long overdue, and this project will restore the landmark to meet the 69th Infantry Regiment’s mission requirements and support the Army’s evolving operational needs. Thanks to $90 million in federal funding I secured in last year’s appropriations bill and Governor Hochul’s support of $40 million in state dollars, New York Army National Guard members who selflessly serve our country will be getting the facilities they deserve. The beginning of this renovation marks another step towards to these much-needed and long overdue upgrades.”
Representative Jerrold Nadler said, "I'm proud to have worked with Leader Schumer and Senator Gillibrand to secure $90 million in direct funding from the FY 2024 Government Funding Bill for the historic 69th Regiment Armory in Manhattan. I’m thrilled that New York's Office of General Services has begun renovations on the 120-year-old Lexington Avenue landmark, ensuring it will remain a crucial hub for New York's civil support response capabilities in Manhattan for years to come."
New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, "Thank you to the OGS Commissioner Jeanette Moy for her commitment to both preserving historical establishments in our state and renovating these buildings to reflect modern needs and design regulations. I’m excited to see this project develop."
Marvel Architects Partner Scott Demel, AIA, said, “We are gratified to renovate and modernize this seminal, National Historic Landmark so the National Guard continues to provide a readiness center for New York and its citizenry. In preserving the building’s legacy and making it more accessible and adaptable for present-day training and coordinated service civil support, Marvel is assuring the building’s continued capacity for the next century.”
The Midtown Manhattan armory has been the home of the New York Army National Guard’s 69th Infantry Regiment since it was completed in 1906. The Soldiers of “The Fighting 69th” marched off to World Wars I and II and, in 2004, to the Iraq War, from the armory. The armory also served as a location for National Guard Soldiers to assist the people of New York in the days after the 9/11 attacks and following Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
Today the armory is the base for the Headquarters Company and A Company of the 1stBattalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, as well as A Company of the 152nd Brigade Engineer Battalion.
To find out more about this project, visit www.ogs.ny.gov/lexington-avenue-armory.
