TODAY, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Yume Kitasei announced that the tallest tower of the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building will be opened for entirely free public tours for the first time this summer, making this unique perspective on the city available in time for the World Cup. Beginning in June, the public will be able to book tours led by DCAS staff through an online portal, with groups of six people departing from the NYC CityStore in the base of the building.
This access is enabled by a $6 million improvement project on the building, including repairing the building's historic cupola, installing glass barriers to ensure visitors can safely enjoy the panoramic views of the city, and renovating the rotunda landing to make it safe and inviting to the public. Opening this space to the public for the first time builds on the Mamdani administration's efforts to ensure New Yorkers across the five boroughs are able to access and enjoy the city's public realm.
Mayor Mamdani made the announcement on the second day of Black History Month, in honor of the city's first Black mayor. The David N. Dinkins Municipal Building is one of the largest government office buildings in the world.
"From the tower of 1 Centre Street-also known as the David Dinkins Municipal Building-the 'gorgeous mosaic' that Mayor Dinkins spoke of reveals itself in its totality. As we celebrate Mayor Dinkins' legacy, we're making that unique view available to the people of New York City," said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani.
"The work that happens inside the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building is for the benefit of New Yorkers - and soon, the building itself will be, too. With these renovations and access, we will make a truly one-of-a-kind space available for the public to enjoy," said Julia Kerson, Deputy Mayor for Operations. "Starting this summer, New Yorkers and visitors alike will be able to see our city in a new way."
"For the first time ever, New Yorkers and visitors alike will experience the sweeping views of the city's skyline perched atop the pinnacle of our city's government operations, 1 Centre Street," said DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei. "Upon its completion, this project will increase public access to an iconic landmark and create new ways to experience New York City and preserve our historical building's infrastructure for future generations."
"It shouldn't be just the wealthy who enjoy the inspiration of an observation deck. New Yorkers should have an opportunity to look down upon the city they love," said Comptroller Mark Levine. "I've been calling for this since serving as a Council Member and then Borough President, because when we open our civic institutions, we not only live up to our welcoming identity, we create a new way for New Yorkers to know and enjoy their home."
"New York's history, like its government, should be for the people," said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. "I'm so glad that the mayor sees the importance of bringing the public into this space to see our incredible city. This building is named for David Dinkins, and now, New Yorkers will have the opportunity to see the city as David Dinkins did - that gorgeous mosaic. They'll see the patchwork of peoples who have come together - as you circle this building and look out you'll see neighborhoods built by so many backgrounds, woven together through time and community. It's exciting to see city leadership get people excited about their city: exploring it, observing it, appreciating it. I encourage all New Yorkers to explore and learn about our neighborhoods in new ways, to see our streets from a new perspective - in this case, a bird's eye view."
"Stanford White would be proud today to see his firm's civic masterwork at the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building finally getting its due, 113 years after its completion. By opening the cupola at 1 Centre Street to the public, I hope generations of New Yorkers will be inspired by this stunning limestone landmark and its remarkable views, along with the possibility that government can do great things," said Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. "The David N. Dinkins Municipal Building is a home for public service, and thanks to Mayor Mamdani and DCAS Commissioner Kitasei, opening its cupola affirms that our city's most remarkable spaces should be affordable and welcoming to everyone."
The David N. Dinkins Municipal Building is home to over 2,000 employees, including the offices of the Comptroller, the Public Advocate, and the Manhattan Borough President, as well as a variety of city agencies. Designed by architecture firm McKim, Mead and White and constructed between 1909 and 1914, the building was made a New York City landmark in 1966, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and renamed after Mayor David N. Dinkins in 2015.
