Behind the Scenes: Washington Square Arch Restoration Project

Photo: Alison Ettinger-DeLong

After six weeks of work, Washington Square Park’s iconic Arch has received a major upgrade – its first since a substantial restoration project in 2003.

NYC Parks Art & Antiquities’ Citywide Monuments Conservation Program (CMCP) completed work on the Washington Square Arch, fully cleaning and consolidating the monument’s fragile stonework, installing new lighting, and upgrading bird proofing. The project started in mid-September.

A Storied Monument

Described “as a portal between the park and the city at the southern terminus of Fifth Avenue,” the Washington Square Arch is one of New York City’s most recognized landmarks. The monument was dedicated in 1895. It replaced a temporary Arch that was so beloved, park neighbors raised the funds to erect the permanent monument we see in Washington Square Park today. The Arch is made of Tuckahoe marble and designed by the firm of McKim Mead White.

Washington Square Arch in 1902. Photo: New York Public Library Digital Collections

In 2003, a capital restoration of the Arch was completed after years of structural damage. Since that work was completed, CMCP has performed annual inspections, cleaning, and selective masonry repairs to the Arch. Now, after more than two decades of regular maintenance, it was time for a more significant restoration to ensure the Arch looks and stands at its best for years to come.

The Work

If you’ve strolled by the Arch recently, chances are you’ve seen some of the work in progress. Starting in September, NYC Parks’ conservator and monuments technicians cleaned the Arch and performed masonry mortar joints repairs, removing damaged mortar from select areas and replacing it.

Applying consolidation rinse to marble surface of George Washington's statue on the Arch. Photo: Excelsior Art Services:

NYC Parks Art & Antiquities worked with New York-based art conservation practice, Excelsior Art Services (EAS), to care for the vulnerable masonry, in keeping with recommendations made after the 2003 restoration.

Mortar joint repair by a Citywide Monuments Conservation Program technician. Photo: NYC Parks

Using an aerial lift and platform lift, EAS applied multiple rounds of a protective spray to all statuary, bas-reliefs, the upper parapet and the lower cornice decorative relief. This specialized treatment strengthens the stone’s surface, inhibits moisture penetration, and reduces weathering of the sensitive marble.

Stone consolidation work on the Washington Square Arch. Photo: Excelsior Art Services

Once this work was complete, NYC Parks electricians installed new energy-efficient lighting fixtures, designed to last. To complete the work, bird control and historic preservation company BirdMaster reinstalled upgraded bird netting to protect both birds and the surface of the Arch.

Built to Last

Caring for a landmark like the Washington Square Arch takes long-term planning and significant funding. Beyond in-house NYC Parks staff time, the project’s costs, around $250,000, were financed by the Arch maintenance endowment raised by NYC Parks Art & Antiquities to support the ongoing care of the monument.

Work on the upper portion of the Washington Square Arch on September 29, 2026, using an aerial lift. Photo: Alison Ettinger-DeLong

With this essential work complete, the Washington Square Arch will be able to stand strong for generations to come.

Special thank you to Jennifer Lantzas, Deputy Director of Art & Antiquities at NYC Parks, for providing the project background information for this article.