Developer Two Trees has revealed plans for a mixed-used development with a beach on the Williamsburg waterfront in Brooklyn. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group and landscape architecture firm James Corner Field Operations, the River Street Waterfront Master Plan proposal calls for two mixed-use towers and the redeveloping of land adjacent to the six-acre Domino Park, also a Two Trees project.
Renderings are by James Corner Field Operations and BIG, courtesy of Two Trees Management.
Renderings are by James Corner Field Operations and BIG, courtesy of Two Trees Management.
As reported by Dezeen, a circular esplanade structure would be built in the river to form a beach and an area of protected water for boating activities. The raised walkway would lead to a small manmade isle built as a breakwater. Plans for the island include a tree-covered picnic spot, a nature trail, and vista and bird lookout points. According to the proposal, a second breakwater would be built to lead from the current Grand Ferry Park next to Domino Park into the water. This isle would also have a nature trail, a lawn, and an outdoor tidal classroom. Additional public amenities near the sandy beach include an amphitheatre, a salt marsh, porch swings, and a boat launch. Kiosks for boat rentals and locally run eateries would be built on the southern end of the site.
As for the towers, components include 1,000 residential units with 250 of the inventory allocated to affordable housing, as well as office space and retail. There will also be a 47,000-square-foot YMCA community gym with an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The towers will have triangular footprints with sloped bases to align with the curve of the beach in front. A gap between them allows for views to the water from Metropolitan Avenue.
Renderings are by James Corner Field Operations and BIG, courtesy of Two Trees Management.
Renderings are by James Corner Field Operations and BIG, courtesy of Two Trees Management.
This masterplan by Bjarke Ingels Group is designed to prevent flooding from extreme water events with architectural details such as a stepped sea bed underneath the waterfront park and the esplanade built on stilts.
Two Trees will need approval from City Hall, the Department of City Planning, and the US Army Corps of Engineers to move forward. If approved, the project is expected to take five years to complete.
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How about a rendering of the tops of the buildings.
Finally, some architecture of substance..If this project winds up looking anything close to these renderings, it will be a triumph.
The neighborhood is already overcrowded and this will only make it worse. Sad thing is that the local politicians are so out of touch, they don’t care what damage they do.
Absolutely true, Monath.
It’s really great to bring back “natural” land to the water’s edge.
We do seem to ignore a rising ocean however while new islands are being built around the world. Perhaps we’ll have to dam the Verrazano Narrows, Throgs Neck and Arthur Kill turning NY Harbor into a lowered freshwater port.
A key link in waterfront access — it will link Domino Park to its south with the ferry stop and Bushwick Inlet Park to its north.
This is fantastic! It really ticks all the boxes – great design, waterfront access, affordable housing and a much needed YMCA. I really hope this gets built exactly as seen above. Based on their great work with Domino, which can’t be finished soon enough, Two Trees might just be able to pull this off!
Confused that even the top rendering admits the beach will be in shade for at least 50% of the day due to the southern building’s shadow. That seems like a odd choice. Domino is great but it’s also not flanked by intimidating Towers of Babe in the same way. Seems claustrophobic.
Ghastly, dystopian Towers of Sauron.
I like how the beach renderings have like two dozen people on the beach. In reality it will be closer to 2,000.
I wonder why these lots were vacant for so long…oh wait, now I remember what was there before. hmmm