1847–1855Standing
Smithsonian Castle
Washington, DC
Red sandstone towers and asymmetric wings give the Smithsonian’s first building its castle-like appearance on the National Mall.
- Recorded role
- Architect; contractor Gilbert Cameron completed interior work after Renwick’s involvement ended.
- Reported style
- Romanesque Revival
- Construction span
- About 8 years · based on recorded years
Dates & sources +
Reported dates: 1847–1855
Construction began in 1847. The exterior was finished in 1852 and the interior in 1855, which is the completion year used here.
Construction record: Construction began in 1847. The exterior was finished in 1852 and the interior in 1855, which is the completion year used here.
Location: Published coordinate for the identified building; not a city-centre estimate.
1861–1865Standing
Vassar College — Main Building
Poughkeepsie, NY
A long, mansard-roofed college building originally combining classrooms, residences, galleries and services under one roof.
- Recorded role
- Architect; John A. Wood made revisions during construction.
- Reported style
- Second Empire
- Construction span
- About 4 years · based on recorded years
Dates & sources +
Reported dates: 1861–1865
Vassar records groundbreaking in June 1861 and completion in 1865. The 1861 date in some summaries is the beginning, not completion.
Construction record: Vassar records groundbreaking in June 1861 and completion in 1865. The 1861 date in some summaries is the beginning, not completion.
Location: Published coordinate for the identified building; not a city-centre estimate.
1858–1878Standing
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
New York, NY
A marble Gothic cathedral on Fifth Avenue, with clustered piers, traceried windows and paired spires added after the main building opened.
- Recorded role
- Lead designer in Renwick & Rodrigue; later Lady Chapel by Charles T. Mathews is a separate phase.
- Reported style
- Gothic Revival
- Construction span
- About 20 years · based on recorded years
Dates & sources +
Reported dates: 1858–1878
Main cathedral completed in 1878 and dedicated in 1879; spires followed in 1888. Construction was interrupted during the Civil War, so the elapsed interval is not continuous work.
Construction record: Main cathedral completed in 1878 and dedicated in 1879; spires followed in 1888. Construction was interrupted during the Civil War, so the elapsed interval is not continuous work.
Location: Published coordinate for the identified building; not a city-centre estimate.