Manhattan Surrogate’s Court

Designed by R. Thomas, then one of the most sought-after architects of public spaces, and completed in 1907, the seven-story Beaux-Arts structure encompasses an entire block in downtown Manhattan, bounded by Chambers, Centre, Reade and Elk Streets. The building at 31 Chambers Street holds the city’s municipal archives and features ornate courtrooms for New York County’s Surrogate’s Court on the fifth floor. The interior and exterior are both New York City Landmarks. The building was also placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977.

EverGreene was hired to recreate the lunettes and replicate a historic metallic finish on the ornamental bronze cladding, which encases the steel structure of the skylight. The historic bronze ceiling was dramatically oxidized due to age and water infiltration. The metal finish was to be restored by applying a chemical patina finish. During the historic finishes investigation, we discovered a rare and highly unusual chemically-applied gilded finish underneath post-historic overpaint. Based on this finding, the scope of the restoration project changed to stripping the overpaint, revealing the original finish, and touching up and lacquering the surface. These processes returned the atrium ceiling to its original intended appearance.

EverGreene’s work also included restoring the plaster lunettes at the two end walls, which involved restoring damaged flat and ornamental plaster, and documenting and recreating the faux book-matched marble finish.