English: Pier A was a bastion of New York’s bustling 19th-century harbor. The former fireboat station was built in 1886 and was in service until the departure of the FDNY Marine Division in 1970. Unoccupied, Pier A became an eyesore that frustrated developers and residents, who saw the underutilized potential of this picturesque waterfront resource.

In June 1975 the Conservancy secured local landmark designation and listing on the National Register of Historic Places. This outstanding example of Victorian architecture and innovative engineering has now been completely redeveloped and is ready for its new 21st-century use.

This comprehensive restoration has stabilized the building’s internal structure, rehabilitated its exterior envelope, and installed all new systems. Historical elements, including wood stair railings, iron structural brackets, doors and door hardware, and ornamental metal sheeting were salvaged for re-use, as were materials left from a failed restoration campaign in the 1990s. Pier A’s spaces have been modernized throughout with improved egress that allows for public assembly on all levels, respecting the original interior wall layouts.