New York State Pavilion Observation Towers
All Work | Flushing Meadows, Corona Park, New York
New York State Pavilion Observation Towers
Queens, New York
Scope
Designed by architects Philip Johnson, Richard Foster, and structural engineer Lev Zetlin, the New York State Pavilion was a great attraction at the 1964 World’s Fair. Along with the Tent of Tomorrow and the Theaterama, part of the Pavilion was the Observation Towers, which featured cafeterias and observation decks at the highest levels, perfect for surveying the fairgrounds from above. The Pavilion is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Disused and having fallen into disrepair, the Pavilion, owned by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, languished. An important landmark in the Park, the Pavilion eventually got some attention with the restoration of the Tent of Tomorrow. Afterward, a design team was assembled to address the deteriorating Observation Towers. JHPArchitects PC was chosen as the preservation architects for the restoration team.
Restoration is currently underway (2025) and the competed Observation Towers wil bring lnew like to this important historical resource.