As a construction photographer, I get to photograph an eclectic series of projects. This is The Octagon, a one-hundred-year-old building on Roosevelt Island. The Octagon is named after the staircase in the center of the building. My client, Richter and Ratner, renovated the entire staircase and added amenities on every floor.
The Octagon was built in 1834 and was initially designed by Alexander Jackson Davis and was inspired. by Greek and Roman architectural styles and was originally a Lunatic Asylum. It
The Octagon later became a hospital for infectious diseases and, after that, stood abandoned for decades. But then, in the early 2000s, it was restored and turned into a luxury residential building. A historic building modern amenities.
Today, the Octagon stands as a symbol of resilience, adaptive reuse and a link to New York’s past and, at the same time embracing its future. The apartments and the East River views are beautiful, as is the view of the Manhattan skyline.
The Octagon on Roosevelt Island serves as a reminder of the island’s evolution—a tangible link to the past while embracing the future. It encapsulates the spirit of preservation and reinvention, showcasing the enduring power of architecture to transcend time. With each passing year, the Octagon continues to captivate visitors, providing a glimpse into the island’s intriguing history and leaving an indelible mark on the fabric of New York City.
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