The Thurgood Marshall US Courthouse prominently sits in what is known as Foley Square and the Civic Center of New York City. Its immediate neighbors (left) are the New York State Courthouse and the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse, home to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Massive steps lead up to the main entrance on Foley Square, and are flanked by large pedestals. Ten four-story Corinthian columns form the imposing portico that shelters the entrance. A detailed floral design is carved into the frieze overhead.

The ends of the entablature above-cut are embellished with roundels, designed to resemble antique coins, on which are carved the heads of four ancient lawgivers: Plato, Aristotle, Demosthenes, and Moses.

Outer bronze doors for the three revolving doors in the front of the building are designed to slide into place when the building is closed. Each is divided into ten ornamental panels cast with rosettes and a lamp and tablet symbol.

The main hall is majestic in size and stature, spanning the width of the building. Twenty-nine feet in height, its marble floors and walls provide a subtle but attractive contrast between warm and cool tones in the different colored veining.

The main hall's ceiling includes elaborate molding, featuring a Greek key design, dividing it into coffered sections. The coffers are decorated with rosettes tipped with 22k gold.

Richly ornamental bronzework surrounds many of the interior doors, including those of the elevators. This bronze detailing features an unusual combination of metaphorical images related to law and government.

Courtrooms have wood-paneled walls with round arches and fluted Ionic pilasters. Architectural elements from the main hall are repeated throughout.

The largest courtroom in the tower, it is carefully proportioned at 66 feet long, 33 feet wide and 22 feet high. The only visible change since 1936 is the stained-glass rose window behind the door of the robing room, which was designed and installed in the 1970s.

The Court of Appeals courtroom ceiling contains nautical symbols, a nod to the one of the court's historic specialties: admiralty law.

The Court usually hears argument in Courtroom 1703 of the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse. During a week in which two panels will be considering matters simultaneously, the second panel will hear argument in Courtroom 1505.

This courtroom is one of only four painted courtrooms. Although Cass Gilbert did not live to approve the final color selections, his intent was that the color selections maintain the dignity and ceremonial aspects of the courtrooms. Gilbert’s original drawings described the finish as "enameled cherry."

Designed by Cass Gilbert, this is one of eleven typical tower trial courtrooms. The bench, jury box, and rail were all rebuilt as part of the renovation. The new millwork is oak, to match the original wall panels still in place. Decorative carvings of wreaths and floral patterns fill the spaces above each arch.

The two courtrooms on the 6th floor were the only original courtrooms located in the base section of the building. The ceiling design is simple when compared to the tower courtrooms, but appropriate for the lower ceiling height, and offset by the four elaborate chandeliers.