The Plight of The Brooklyn Navy Yard Hospital Complex

When I came across the photographs and write-up via The Kingston Lounge, I realized that the piece had been written in 2009. It became apparent that the historic and long-derelict structures had been on the verge of demolition on several occasions. According to a NYT article written in 2010...

Kristin Leahy, the cultural resources manager for the National Guard Bureau, the federal agency that controls the site, said engineers had found that the historic structures, particularly the timber shed, might be beyond repair. “We hired these engineers with tools to stabilize the buildings,” she said, “and that is when they came back and said we had a problem.” 


One proposal at a subsequent meeting last month was to deconstruct the building and then incorporate the salvaged pieces into a new structure. But Mr. Herrera of the Landmarks Conservancy said that deconstruction was another word for demolition.

The Navy disposed of NAVSTA Brooklyn in the late 1960's. Upon departure, they stabilized and abated the main hospital building and the Surgeon's Residence, both deemed New York City landmarks. New York City purchased the yard in 1967 but attempts to revitalize it failed until 2000, when the city began to invest in stabilizing its infrastructure. Currently, Steiner Studios - the largest film and television complex outside Hollywood - is the yard's largest tenant.

Most recent plans include a 74,000-square-feet grocery store, and the restoration of two buildings on Admiral’s Row — the timber shed built prior to the Civil War, and the oldest town house.

Undoubtedly, it is a fascinating place with roots deep in the Civil War, WW II and the ship-building industry. Read more about the redevelopment and hopeful further restoration here and here...

A map of the Hospital Annex during the Civil War

Naval Hospital

Naval Hospital

Naval Hospital

Naval Hospital

Naval Hospital

Naval Hospital

Naval Hospital

Naval Hospital

Naval Hospital

The Commandant's Residence - originally the Surgeon's Residence - with an elegant concave mansard roof, dates back to the Civil War. The original interior details are surprisingly in tact...

Photographs via here...