Castle at The Battery

A model of adaptive reuse

The Castle at The Battery has played multiple roles over the centuries—fortress, opera house, immigration center, and aquarium. The Castle’s walls were saved from demolition and designated a national monument in 1946. Today as a ticketing facility, and housing a small exhibition on the Castle’s history, it welcomes millions of visitors to The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

In partnership with the National Park Service, The Battery Conservancy is leading the revitalization of the site and returning a storied landmark to its former glory as a public entertainment center. The conceptual plan currently focuses on the building’s rich 19th-century history as Castle Garden opera house. A contemporary design by Thomas Phifer and Partners erects within the Castle walls a free-standing, versatile performance space featuring three tiers of seating to foster an intimate relationship between artists and audience. The scale is similar to early theaters, such as the Globe in London.

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Castle in a Garden
Success Stories

SeaGlass Carousel

The Battery Conservancy conceived and led the development of SeaGlass Carousel to provide children and adults a virtual underwater experience.

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The Battery Gardens

Visited by over 7 millions people each year, The Battery was the first New York City public park to introduce a horticultural landscape without fences or an admission fee.

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The Battery Urban Farm

The Battery Conservancy created Battery Urban Farm to engage students, residents, and visitors in sustainable farming techniques, the joys of tasting new foods, and environmental stewardship.

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