The Tombs
The Tombs is the colloquial name for the Manhattan Detention Complex (formerly the Bernard B. Kerik Complex), a municipal jail at 125 White Street in Lower Manhattan, New York City. It is also the nickname for three previous city-run jails in the former Five Points neighborhood of lower Manhattan, in an area now known as the Civic Center. The original Tombs was officially known as the Halls of Justice, built in 1838 in an Egyptian Revival architectural style, similar in form to a mastaba. It may have been this style that caused it to be called 'the Tombs', although other theories exist. It was built as a replacement for the Colonial-era Bridewell Prison located in City Hall Park, built in 1735. The new structure incorporated material, mainly granite, from the demolished Bridewell to save money. The four buildings known as The Tombs were, in succession: 1838–1902, New York City Halls of Justice and House of Detention 1902–1941, City Prison 1941–1974, Manhattan House of Detention 1983–present, Manhattan Detention Complex (known as the Bernard B. Kerik Complex from 2001 to 2006) History Halls of Justice and House of Detention, 1838–1902 The first complex to have the nickname was an Egyptian Revival design