New renderings planned for New York City
When some of the wealthiest New Yorkers fled the city for Florida at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, some speculated that the sunnier skies and lower taxes would lure them away for good. However, a Business Insider report debunks rumors of a mass exodus and notes that Brooklyn, not Florida, saw the largest number of incoming Manhattanites over the past year.
Moreover, between the city's tax revenue and federal stimulus, the city is set to drive a recovery in all neighborhoods. Yesterday, Mayor de Blasio released the Recovery Budget, which is set to drive economic growth, build up reserves, and make investments in education, public health, affordable housing, and open space. We take a look at renderings of projects that align with those goals.
Moreover, between the city's tax revenue and federal stimulus, the city is set to drive a recovery in all neighborhoods. Yesterday, Mayor de Blasio released the Recovery Budget, which is set to drive economic growth, build up reserves, and make investments in education, public health, affordable housing, and open space. We take a look at renderings of projects that align with those goals.
In this article:
Manhattan Waterfront Greenway
One component of the Recovery Budget is a reimagination of public space. This includes the popular Open Streets and Open Restaurants programs, adding new bike lanes, and completing the Manhattan Greenway by 2029.
Beyer Blinder Belle led a multi-disciplinary team on the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, the most-used bike path in the United States. The team seeks to close the 32-mile loop along five miles of missing connections on the Lower East Side, Midtown East, Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood. Seven sites around the perimeter will promote waterfront access, linking over 1,000 acres of open space (more than Central Park!) across the island, and the completed Greenway will bring a recreational amenity and new transit route to some of Manhattan's most underserved neighborhoods. Design and procurement are underway, and construction is expected to start in 2023.
All renderings of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway via Beyer Blinder Belle
Renovated Pennsylvania Station, Midtown West
All renderings via NY Governor's Office
After a year-long planning process, Governor Cuomo has unveiled two possible renderings for a reconstructed Pennsylvania Station that would unify the existing station and the new Moynihan Train Hall, increase train capacity, and bring in more natural light. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Amtrak, NJ Transit, FXCollaborative, and WSP were all involved in the process.
One plan keeps Penn Station’s current two-level boarding layout while adding a central atrium, repurposing some of Amtrak’s space for NJ Transit, and building a flashy new entrance. The site of the new entrance is currently the Hulu Theater, which would have to be purchased from Madison Square Garden for this to work.
In the second rendering, Penn Station is converted to “an open, single-level concourse” with higher ceilings, entrances on West 31st and 33rd Streets, and an atrium in the former taxiway between Madison Square Garden and 2 Penn Plaza.
Either way, the new train station could allow commuters and visitors to return to entering the city like gods rather than scuttling in like rats, to paraphrase the famous quote. It will feature more natural light, increased visibility and accessibility, improved sightlines, and unified ticketing and waiting areas The project would also require full funding for the long-deferred Gateway Project, which calls for the renovation of existing Hudson River tunnels and the construction of two new ones. New Jersey commuters will be pleased to know that this is part of President Biden’s infrastructure plan.
The improved train station is part of the Empire Station Complex, which would transform Midtown West with new towers - office, retail, and possibly hotel and residential - and improvements to public space. The transit agencies are accepting comments on the project here. When an alternative is selected, they will work with the Biden administration on an Environmental Impact Statement.
The Block, 555 Johnson Avenue, Bushwick
Renderings of The Block via EBC Capital
As The Block demonstrates, Bushwick's recent renaissance is not limited to the residential. The former warehouse and lighting factory has been reimagined and repurposed into a state-of-the-art light manufacturing/industrial space. Owner Eric Cohen has brought on the JLL Brooklyn team, best known for its work at 25 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg and Empire Stores in DUMBO, to bring in new tenants for the second phase of the project.
Current tenants include Malagassi Essential Oils and Arcane Distilling, Burgie's (a burger-and-fries concept from the team behind Roberta's), and Vans footwear and apparel, which opened an indoor skate park in summer 2019. They enjoy The Block's white-box space, soaring ceilings, on-grade accessible loading docks, drive-through gate access points, and on-site parking. The Block offers the potential to create immersive retail experiences, cutting-edge manufacturing space, and post-production studios, to name but a few.
The Cove, Jersey City
All renderings of The Cove via Ennead Architects
Given the events of the past year, the importance of life sciences cannot be overstated. To that end, New York developer Argent Ventures and Toronto-based H&R REIT have unveiled a plan for The Cove, a “super-cluster” development of life science space in Jersey City. The sprawling new development will feature 1.4 million square feet of laboratory/tech office space, 1.6 million square feet of residences, a waterfront park, and new retail space.
While the finished product will include ample room for parking, its close proximity to the PATH, light rail, and ferry is expected to be a major selling point. This is just one sustainable aspect of The Cove; the developers are considering solar panels, renewable energy sources, and a possible heating and cooling system powered by a “combustion-free heat exchange technology that extracts energy from municipal wastewater.” Moreover, the project can take shape in the wake of environmental remediation on the site.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Jersey City Governor Steven M. Fulop have both spoken in favor of The Cove. The design by Ennead Architects will take shape in two stages, with the first anticipated to break ground in 2022.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Jersey City Governor Steven M. Fulop have both spoken in favor of The Cove. The design by Ennead Architects will take shape in two stages, with the first anticipated to break ground in 2022.
The Textile Building, 295 Fifth Avenue, Murray Hill
As companies all over Manhattan make plans to bring employees back to the office, some of the offices are being reimagined to create a healthier and more welcoming environment. Among them is the Textile Building, a full-block building dating back to 1920 and designed by George Backer. More than 100 years later, Tribeca Investment Group, PGIM Real Estate, and Meadow Partners recently announced plans to redevelop the building with outdoor work spaces (including a first-floor courtyard), airier and more flexible floor plates, and upgraded infrastructure.
Moreover, Studios Architecture has designed a two-story, 34,000-square-foot penthouse addition to sit atop the building. This will feature floor-to-ceiling glass, a metal panel system with a custom finish complementing the brick facade, and outdoor terraces. Landmarks approval is not required for this venture; if all goes according to plan, the team expects to be ready for tenant construction in the first quarter of 2022. Occupancy is estimated for the third quarter of 2022.
All renderings of The Textile Building via Studios Architecture
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Rendering of 334 Evergreen Avenue via INEX Design
Bushwick is known for its thriving music scene, but a new residential building takes that to a whole new level: A rendering of 334 Evergreen Avenue, a new four-story residential building, shows a facade with a design resembling piano keys. Architect INEX Design says in an Instagram post, "Once this project is done, it will sure make a loud statement!"
As 334 Evergreen Avenue is currently under construction, it remains to be seen how closely the finished product will resemble the rendering. Three of the eight units inside will be designated as affordable, and the building will have a central laundry room. While it is not expected to include a music practice room, renderings do depict musical motifs inside the building.
As 334 Evergreen Avenue is currently under construction, it remains to be seen how closely the finished product will resemble the rendering. Three of the eight units inside will be designated as affordable, and the building will have a central laundry room. While it is not expected to include a music practice room, renderings do depict musical motifs inside the building.
Rendering via Bronx Pro Group
Nonprofit Services for the Underserved (S:US) and developer Bronx Pro Group have partnered up on the redevelopment of 1600 Macombs Road, a former hospital used by S:US as a residential treatment center. The proposed development takes advantage of the Jerome Corridor Rezoning to create a mixed-use, mixed-income campus to be built in two phases. The first phase will comprise 316 units of supportive and affordable housing; permits filed for the second phase call for community facility space and 244 units of supportive and affordable housing with amenities like bike parking, mail and package room, lounge, storage, and elevator. The campus will also include 11,500 square feet of publicly accessible open space, a rear yard, and a second-floor passive recreation area for residents. Demolition permits were filed in May 2020.
Rendering via Leaf Architecture
Construction is underway on an eight-story, 20-unit mixed-income building at 349 West 141st Street in the Hamilton Heights section of Upper Manhattan. Permits indicate that there will be no more than four units per floor, and that amenities will include a central laundry room, storage, bike room, and lounge. The rendering of the design by Leaf Architecture shows a slick facade with oversized windows and balconies on the fifth and seventh floors, and completion is estimated for 2021.
Current site conditions via CityRealty
Rendering of The Rise via Magnusson Architecture & Planning
In spring 2017, Governor Cuomo announced the Vital Brooklyn initiative, a plan to spur community development and wellness in disadvantaged Brooklyn neighborhoods. The winning proposal for Site J is The Rise, developed by Xenolith Partners in partnership with Community Services International, Inc. and Community Preservation Corporation. The design by Magnusson Architecture & Planning will employ Active Design principles and aim for Passive House certification; it has already been named a New York State Building of Excellence Award winner.
The Rise will include 72 units of affordable and supportive housing, approximately 7,000 square feet of community facility space, 3,000 square feet of administrative space for One Brooklyn Health system, and over 10,000 square feet of rooftop green space. Supportive services by the Women's Prison Association and the Osborne Association will include case management, job training and placement, legal assistance, and support groups. Construction is expected to start in summer 2021.
The Rise will include 72 units of affordable and supportive housing, approximately 7,000 square feet of community facility space, 3,000 square feet of administrative space for One Brooklyn Health system, and over 10,000 square feet of rooftop green space. Supportive services by the Women's Prison Association and the Osborne Association will include case management, job training and placement, legal assistance, and support groups. Construction is expected to start in summer 2021.
Rendering of 1546 East New York Avenue via Xenolith Partners
Xenolith Partners has unveiled renderings for 1546 East New York Avenue, to be developed in partnership with Family Services Network of New York (FSNNY). The red brick building will contain a 5,000-square-foot community facility space operated by FSNNY and 95 housing units. Sixty percent of the apartments will be supportive housing set aside for those with severe mental illness, substance abuse disorder, and HIV/AIDS; the remainder will be set aside for households earning 40 to 80 percent of the areas median income. All units will be outfitted with Energy Star appliances, and amenities will include a fitness room, community room and outdoor terrace, central laundry room, and bike room. Demolition permits were filed for the three-story building previously on-site in July 2020, and construction is expected to begin in December 2021.
Arras, East New York
Arras concept design via Handel Architects
Handel Architects has unveiled a concept drawing for Arras, a mixed-use residential project in East New York, for clients Gotham Organization, RBSCC, and Urbane Development. The project is described as "designed to serve as a model of a socially transformative and environmentally conscious design" and will feature 326 affordable homes, 13,100 square feet of retail space occupied by locally-based tenants, and approximately 20,500 square feet of community facility space with curated programming for Arras residents and the East New York community as a whole. It is designed to Passive House standards, which will allow it to operate at the utmost level of energy efficiency and provide residents with increased interior and acoustical comfort.
Rendering via Cycle Architecture + Planning
At the beginning of 2019, demolition permits were filed for a Queen Anne/Romanesque Revival brownstone dating back to the end of the 19th century and located just outside the Crown Heights Historic District. Renderings of the five-story, nine-unit condominium to rise on the site, as depicted by Cycle Architecture + Planning, show nods to the townhouse with a red brick facade and arch-topped bay. It will be designed to Passive House standards with a high-efficiency building envelope, state-of-the-art air filtration, on-site storm water management, a 16 KW PV array, and green roofs.
Image via Cycle Architecture + Planning
Metro Baptist Church expansion, Midtown West
Rendering via THINK Architecture & Design
In 1984, ten years after it began in an Upper West Side office building, Metro Baptist Church outgrew its space and moved into 410 West 40th Street, an old Polish Catholic church in the heart of Hell's Kitchen. Thirty-six years later, THINK Architecture & Design revealed a rendering of an expanded church on its Instagram page. Permits have not yet been filed, but the expansion appears to show the church's historic architectural details intact as it makes room to accommodate all the programming, which includes weekly worship (online due to the pandemic), a clothing closet, a food pantry, tutoring, programs for veterans and women in crisis, and a rooftop garden.
Rendering via BEB Capital
Developer BEB Capital has unveiled renderings of an eight-story, 35-unit building in the works at 402 East 118th Street, between First and Pleasant Avenues, in East Harlem. Permits identify Boleslav J. Ryzinski as the architect of record and call for a ground-level retail store, basement-level storage, and a rooftop terrace.
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
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