The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) is now reviewing proposals from Howard Hughes Corporation to construct a new pair of high-rise towers at 250 Water Street and a multi-phase expansion of the South Street Seaport Museum in Manhattan’s Financial District. The developer has selected Skidmore, Owings & Merrill as lead architect with supporting design services from JHPA and historic preservation experts Higgins Quasebarth & Partners.
Located at the edge of the South Street Seaport Historic District, the undeveloped lot at 250 Water Street encompasses a large city block and has sat mostly vacant for many years. The proposed development would occupy the entire plot, including a low-rise podium and two 38-story towers with a mix of community spaces, office suites, residences, and associated amenities.
The overall height of the building is made possible through a proposed transfer of 445,000 square feet of unused development rights from an adjacent site within the South Street Seaport Historic District. If approved, the new structure would comprise up to 757,400 buildable square feet and top out at approximately 470 feet above ground.
Map illustrates existing site conditions at South Street Seaport Historic District – Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM); Howard Hughes Corporation
Existing site conditions at 250 Water Street (left) and development rendering (right) – Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM); Howard Hughes Corporation
Existing site conditions at the vacant John Street lot (left) and 250 Water Street (right) – Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM); Howard Hughes Corporation
To reduce the visual impact of the two new towers on the existing streetscape, the high-rise volumes will sit atop a five-story podium and be set back from the Water Street elevation.
The façade of the podium will be mostly comprised of red brick masonry and large floor-to-ceiling windows. Above these levels, curtain wall materials will include precast concrete and large windows with powder-coated aluminum mullions.
Rendering illustrates residential balconies at 250 Water Street – Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; Howard Hughes Corporation
Residential area will account for the majority of floor space within the proposed towers and will occupy the 11th through 34th floors. Residential amenity spaces will primarily occupy the eighth floor. If approved, the towers will contain a collection of 360 new apartments. Around 100 units will be reserved for individuals and households earning 40 percent of the area median income.
Commercial area will occupy the ground through seventh floors.
Aerial rendering of proposed museum expansion – Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM); Howard Hughes Corporation
The existing South Street Seaport Museum is located at 12 Fulton Street with additional frontage along South Street. The proposed expansion will occupy a neighboring vacant lot at the corner of John and South Streets.
Renderings of the new museum building illustrate a six-story building with a punched copper facade that will slowly oxidize into a green patina, grid-spaced window openings, black shutters that open out above both John and South Streets, and an outdoor roof deck.
Within the existing museum and the new volume, many of the gallery spaces will be reactivated and modernized for a contemporary viewing experience.
If approved by the LPC, the new building will connect into the existing museum via a multi-story, glass-enclosed addition along South Street. Additional scope of work includes repairs to the existing historic façade.
Rendering of the new South Street Seaport museum building – Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM); Howard Hughes Corporation
Rendering of the new South Street Seaport museum building illustrates facade patina progression – Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM); Howard Hughes Corporation
The developer has also proposed a $50 million contribution to the South Street Seaport Museum if the project is allowed to move forward. Considering the museum’s active role in the preservation and revitalization of the surrounding district, the infusion of funds is expected to dramatically impact the efficacy and longevity of the museum’s efforts.
A virtual hearing for the project is scheduled to take place today, January 5. Considering the current phase of proposals, additional details regarding project schedule are not yet available.
Rendering of the new museum building and the surrounding South Street Seaport – Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM); Howard Hughes Corporation
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There better be flattened rivets.
Selective hatred?
I don’t know what this means.
Putin?
This either.
Not bad, he want still 940′ total height, but divided in two towers, more fit with this historical neighborhood than “supertall”…
What a mess of what mediocrity of project a supertall with good architecture awaited me but what a total waste that space
Is there any precedent for large arches or copper covered facades in this historic district? The museum addition looks out of place.
This looks to become a very nice pair of buildings, even though I do think the original supertall idea was kind of cool. But if the LPC doesn’t approve this, then I don’t know really what to say.
Show me all the blueprints… Show me all the blueprints… Show me all the blueprints…
change change the copper to corten and you got a winner!
Have they figured out the remediation for the water street site yet?