Together for Kingsbridge

Members of the Community Working Group at the second Public Workshop

Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Council Member Pierina Sanchez, and a local resident.

Workshop attendee and volunteer discussing history of the Armory in the local community.

Workshop attendees writing their ideas for the future of the Armory as part of a banner activity.

Audience listening to the Together for Kingsbridge Co-Chair’s speeches.

Audience listening to the Together for Kingsbridge Co-Chair’s speeches.

Audience at second Public Workshop

Council Member Pierina Sanchez speaking with a participant during the second Public Workshop

Community members learning about the Armory’s history

The second workshop gave the public an opportunity to plan for the Armory’s future

The second workshop gave the public an opportunity to plan for the Armory’s future

The second workshop gave the public an opportunity to plan for the Armory’s future

Taking up an entire block at the intersection of Kingsbridge Road and Jerome Avenue, the Kingsbridge Armory is the world’s largest armory and has long been a central landmark in Northwest Bronx.

Entrance to the Kingsbridge Armory from West Kingsbridge Road. The Kingsbridge Armory, also known as the Eighth Regiment Armory, opened in 1917 and was used by the military until 1994.

Inspired by Medieval architecture, the Armory’s exterior is characterized by red brick, a curved and sloping roof, two semi-engaged towers, and two low round towers.

Entrance into the Armory’s head-house. The building has over 500,000 square feet of interior space, including a 180,000-square-foot open drill hall, a four-story head-house, a basement, and sub-cellar levels.

The Drill Hall was used by the military to perform drills, stage practices, and store equipment. In addition to military uses, the Kingsbridge Armory held exhibitions, boxing matches, film sets, and served as a temporary meeting place for the United Nations.

The Armory has been vital community resource in times of emergency. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Armory was used as a center to distribute aid to the Bronx and more recently, as an emergency shelter for families displaced by the Twin Parks North West fire. During the 1980s, the Armory was used as a women’s shelter.

Entrance to the Kingsbridge Armory from Reservoir Avenue. Bronxite, Carl, has been managing on-site operations at the Armory for over 20 years.