Brooklyn Borough Hall

Brooklyn Borough Hall, the ornate center of Brooklyn's government for almost 150 years, has survived a fire in 1895, the demise of Brooklyn as an independent city in 1898 and calls for its demolition during the 1930s and 1950s. Yet, like a veteran who has weathered many a battle, it has emerged as one of New York's great landmark buildings. The City of New York acknowledged its enduring qualities with an extensive late-1980s restoration. Today, critics praise its peerless architectural forms, while Brooklynites take comfort and pride in its presence.