The Future of the Gates

Structural foundation of the site is under construction.

The old world of the New York Central Railroad and the new world of graffiti come together.

          After the site's shut down in the 1960s, the Gates of Hell was abandoned for almost 50 years. In 2012, after many years of neglect and many layers of aerosol paint, the property was purchased by the Lela Goren Group. This real estate group immediately began their multi-million dollar renovation by completely gutting the two buildings. The graffiti world, allowed to flourish for so many years in the Gates of Hell, was abruplty interupted by construction workers who removed the staircases, cleared debris, and cut down trees.

          The item showing the basement of the Gates reveals the extent that the Lela Goren Grop intends to reconstruct. By working in the underbelly of the building and reinforcing its structural foundation, their construction plans seem to be long term. Rumors have circulated that the site will become a hotel, an art exhibition, a museum, or even a shopping mall. Reconstructing the site will end the social memory of the Gates of Hell.

          The item showcasing the graffiti of the top floor as well as the rusted freight hooks from the original construction, reveal the collision of two worlds. There is the old world of the New York Central Railroad where working class Yonkers residents generated energy to electrify the railroad and, as a result, contributed greatly to New York history. There is also the new world of graffiti that took over the inhabited site, renamed it the Gates of Hell, and thrived as an undisturbed sanctuary for writers. These two worlds collide but coexisted to maintain a social memory amongst New Yorkers, graffiti writers, and Yonkers residents. The Lela Goren Group's plans to reconstruct the site will finish this social memory. Their construction has currently come to a halt. No one is sure when the construction will resume and what the future holds for the Gates of Hell.