Manhattan’s lower west side is set to get a major facelift when the defunct Pier 54, which faces the Hudson River, is replaced by a brand new public park and performance space called Pier55. The just-announced project is the result of a partnership between the Hudson River Park Trust and Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenburg’s P55 nonprofit, and will consist of a 2.7-ace pier and expanded public esplanade that will stretch from Bloomfield Street to 14th Street. Construction is set to begin in 2016. The City of New York and New York State will be contributing $17 million and $18 million to the project, respectively, with total costs said to be in excess of $130 million.
“New York City’s waterfront provides tremendous opportunities for everything from tourism to outdoor recreation, and Pier55 is the perfect example of how we can tap into that resource to build a more enjoyable city for all,” said Governor Andrew M. Cuomo about Pier55. “The revitalization and transformation of this pier into a vibrant arts and community space will bring new energy and new visitors to our waterfront,” added Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Design firm Heatherwick Studio handled the conceptualization of Pier55, which is being described as a “place of discovery, where visitors can wander and wonder, finding something new around every corner: placesto lounge, eat lunch, or just lie inthe grass.” In addition to offering “sweeping views” of Manhattan and New Jersey, the Pier will house “one of New York City’s premier venues,” where the majority of programming will be ” free and low cost.” Over the course of its 20 year lease of the space, P55 will fund the programming, operations and maintenance of the state-of-the-art playground. Meanwhile, the HRPT will maintain the park as a public pier, with hours matching those of the rest of Hudson River Park.
Barry Diller and Diane Von Furstenburg bringing ‘transformative’ Pier55 to Hudson River Park
Pier55, Inc./Heatherwick Studio
