Belvedere, meaning “beautiful view” in Italian, is original to the Park, completed in 1870.

Conceived by Park’s designers, Frederick Law Olmsted, and Calvert Vaux, as a “picturesque structure”. Once considered a focal point in the landscape with a direct line of sight from the Mall and Bethesda Terrace, drawing people towards it, from where they could enjoy beautiful views. Notably the landscape has greatly matured, and this line of sight no longer exists.

Belvedere is situated atop the second highest point in Central Park, Vista Rock, and constructed of Manhattan schist with granite as accent stone. The base consists of larger schist units of brownish hues with beautiful inclusions in the rocks which marries with the prominent color of Visit Rock from which the structure emerges. Initially envisioned Belvedere as two open-air masonry pavilions connected by a terrace overlooking the reservoir that existed at that time. The Belvedere had no functional use – it was a sight to look at and to look out from to take in the breathtaking views.

Belvedere became enclosed with the addition of windows and doors in 1919 when the National Weather Service moved into the building. At this time visitors to the Park no longer had access to building interior and upper terraces.

Since the founding of the Conservancy, the Belvedere has and continues to serve as one of the main visitor centers within the Park. It provides amazing, changing views of the surrounding landscapes . Today there are views of the Great Lawn to the north and The Ramble to the south.

Scope consist of masonry envelopes which had weathered, and deteriorated overtime. The masonry restoration scope included repointing, repairs, parapet reconstructions, select unit replacement and reconstruction, and masonry cleaning. Scope also included new waterproofing installations, and window, and door replacements to improve the performance of the building envelope.

An important component of the work included the installation of new LED lighting - interior and exterior - and associated control system to light up the newly restored building. For more information on the lighting please go here.

Read more on this project here.