What do St. Patrick’s Cathedral and The Island Hospital have in common? They were both designed by the famous 19th Century architect James Renwick Jr.
Today you can tour the ruins of this hospital, New York City’s only registered historic ruin, that served as smallpox infirmary, insane asylum, prison ward, and poor house. It is lit at night and quite an eerie sight. I have always wanted to get up close after seeing Michael J. Fox in The Secret of My Success buy it in order to turn it in to a hotel, and was lucky enough to get the chance when I went to Roosevelt Island to visit The Encampment.
