Municipal Ferry Pier
Also known as: Battery Maritime Building
Why it's listed
Located at 11 South Street on the southeast tip of lower Manhattan, this steel ferry terminal was completed in 1909 as the Municipal Ferry Pier, serving the line between Manhattan and South Brooklyn. It measures 250 by 140 feet, with three 50-foot rounded arches sheltering three ferry slips. The river facade is riveted steel with pilasters, scrolled capitals, latticework and rosettes, while the street side has a tall portico on five steel arches. Designed by Walker and Morris and erected by engineer Frederick Snare, it shows how ornate Beaux Arts detail could be rendered in structural steel. Charles Morris had studied at the Beaux Arts school in Paris. It is the last remaining ferry terminal on the East River and reflects the port's maritime history. A mid-twentieth-century office story was added, and the original waiting room remains largely intact. The building has operated continuously since 1909 and houses city marine offices.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as the last remaining ferry terminal on the East River. It is a significant expression of Beaux Arts style in steel and an example of turn-of-the-century civic architecture in New York City. It is also associated with the city's maritime transportation history.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 76001246, listed December 12, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 11 South St., New York |
|---|---|
| County | Manhattan |
| Listed | December 12, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001246 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1909 |
| Architect / builder | Richard Walker and Charles Morris (Walker and Morris); erected by engineer Frederick Snare |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts |
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in continuous operation as a ferry terminal since 1909; it houses city Department of Marine and Aviation offices, and a mid-twentieth-century office story was added on top. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.70098, -74.01146 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 76001246.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2687430
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.