Bethesda Terrace Arcade was created in the 1860s, as a part of Central Park’s main formal architectural feature. A grand staircase connects the Mall to the subterranean Arcade and offers a completely different experience from the surrounding scenery. It was conceived to be an ornate interior that would act as a distinct counterpart to the open terrace and Lake. The highlight of the Arcade is the magnificent Minton Tile ceiling designed by British-born architect and designer, Jacob Wrey Mould, who also conceived of the decorative carvings throughout the Terrace. Installed in 1869, there are more than 15,000 colorful, patterned encaustic tiles, made by England’s famed Minton Tile Company. Over the decades, the 50-ton ceiling weakened and its tiles deteriorated. In the 1980s, the tiles were placed in storage. Thanks to charitable donations, the Central Park Conservancy was finally able to restore the Arcade. In 2007, it opened to the public.
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Photo Credit: City Guide NY