HISTORIC REFERENCES

The Interborough Rapid Transit Powerhouse was constructed in 1904 to power the subway systems on Manhattan island in New York.
It was designed by Stanford White of McKim, Mead & White Architects in a ‘Renaissance Revival’ style and was described as a classical temple paying homage to modern industry.
The six chimneys were designed to reflect the smokestacks of nearby steamships moored alongside the piers of Hudson River. By the 1950s the subway system had no further need of the powerhouse and since that time Consolidated Edison has been using the space to supply New York City with steam.
Steam has many uses in New York, such as heating and cooling buildings, providing humidity to art museums and steam cleaning in restaurants.

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