The lighthouse is approximately fifty feet tall and is constructed of rock-faced, random gray ashlar. This stone (gray gneiss) was quarried on the island itself, predominantly by convict labor from the nearby Penitentiary on the island and was used for many of the institutional buildings erected there. The lighthouse is encircled by a small yard paved with flagstone. An entry walk at the south is flanked by stone bollards that have pyramidal tops carved with a simple trefoil. The lighthouse is octagonal in plan and vertically organized according to the tripartite division of the classical column – base, shaft, and capital. The base is separated from the superstructure by a series of simple moldings which are interrupted on the south side by a projecting gable above the single entrance doorway. This doorway, with an incised pointed arch above a splayed keystone with flanking corbels, is designed in a rustic version of the Gothic style. The stepped stones of the outer profile of this gable simulate roof tiles. The octagonal shaft of the lighthouse is pierced above the doorway by two slit windows, which light the interior staircase. The top shaft is adorned with Gothic foliate ornament in high relief, separated by simple moldings from the brackets, which support the observation platform. These elements form the crowning feature of the lighthouse. The non-original, government standard issue, ten-sided lantern is of glass and cast-iron, originally surmounted by an octagonal lantern and picturesque conical roof, surrounded by a simple metal railing.
(LPC Designation Report, 1976)

The tower and surrounding grounds area of the project is mostly restorative in nature and is intended mostly to address deteriorated conditions. Removal of the collapsing wood spiral stair and replacing with a new non-corrosive metal stair provides access to the lantern house. Removal of the non-original concrete observation deck & non-original, ten-sided, government-issued cast iron lantern due to considerable splitting, cracking, and corroding of the cast iron components. Modification to the observation deck and lantern house was proposed to reintroduce the geometry and mass of the original Renwick lantern, blackened stainless steel railings and platform constituting the observation deck coupled with new lighting fixtures at the ground and deck level with remote operability pre-set lighting schemes to celebrate local events and national holidays.