Thurgood Marshall Courthouse
Crenshaw Lighting undertook a comprehensive restoration project at the Thurgood Marshall federal courthouse, meticulously restoring over 700 historic fixtures to preserve its neoclassical architecture.
This effort included the restoration and replication of bronze lanterns and other historical lighting elements, ensuring authenticity and durability. By reviving these features, the project enhanced the courthouse's grandeur while maintaining its historical integrity.
Clients benefit from Crenshaw Lighting's expertise in historical lighting restoration and replication, delivering solutions that honor architectural heritage and provide long-term value for federal courthouse environments like Thurgood Marshall.
Historic Restoration - Replication - Recreation
Thurgood Marshall U.S. Federal Courthouse
Soaring 37 stories above Foley Square in lower Manhattan, the Thurgood Marshall U.S. Federal Courthouse, a neoclassical masterpiece by renowned architect Cass Gilbert, completed in 1936, stands as a testament to federal architectural grandeur, flanked by iconic neighbors like the New York State Supreme Court and Manhattan Municipal Building. Renamed in 2001 to honor Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American U.S. Supreme Court Justice, this historic edifice—home to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York—underwent a transformative restoration completed in 2013, where Crenshaw Lighting was honored to deliver a substantial portion of its decorative historic lighting. In 2008, Crenshaw, partnering with Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners and Domingo Gonzalez Associates, crafted, restored, or replicated over 700 fixtures across 19 distinct types, showcasing unparalleled expertise and collaboration that brought this landmark project to life. Among the standout creations are five monumental bronze lanterns gracing the front portico entrance—each an awe-inspiring eight-foot-tall, 1,000-pound masterpiece of ornate cast bronze, meticulously restored to captivate onlookers with their timeless craftsmanship. Additionally, nearly 400 cast resin ceiling rosettes, replicated from six original plaster designs and fitted with aimable louvered MR16 downlights, met rigorous New York City egress lighting codes through close coordination with the specification team, illuminating the courthouse with elegance and safety in equal measure. This award-winning restoration not only preserves the courthouse’s historic legacy but elevates its neoclassical splendor, a fitting tribute to its enduring significance.