Surrogate's Court, Central Atrium Grand Staircase

The building was designed in 1899 by John Rochester Thomas, though its striking staircase is generally attributed to his employee Fay Kellogg. Kellogg trained under a German tutor and worked at Carrère & Hastings before studying in Paris she lobbied the École des Beaux-Arts administration to open to women, paving the way for architects like Julia Morgan. Kellogg also completed several commissions on Park Place for the American News Company, though many were later replaced by 1920s-era skyscrapers, and her overall project list remains incomplete despite evidence of a prolific career.