Olin reveals renderings for $30M activity-filled eco-park on Tribeca’s Pier 26
It was announced just over a year ago that starchitect Rafael Viñoly would donate his services to the Hudson River Park Trust to design an estuarium, a science education and research center, at the base of Tribeca‘s Pier 26. Now, Tribeca Citizen has brought us the first set of conceptual renderings of the $30 million Pier, which don’t include Viñoly’s building (other than as a placeholder), but show how landscape architects OLIN will transform the 800-foot pier between North Moore and Hubert Streets into a ecological park, complete with huge lounge net areas, sports fields, expansive lawns, a river esplanade, sandy dunes, wetlands to attract birds and wildlife, and elevated tree-lined pathways that are “inspired by being in the woods,” according to DNAinfo.
The Hudson River Park Trust presented the renderings at last night’s Community Board 1 meeting, noting that they’ve now secured enough funding to move forward. As DNAinfo recounts, “The pier revamp will cost just over $30 million, with financing that’s already secured, via $10 million from the city, $10 million from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, and a $10 million donation from Citigoup, which has offices just off the pier.” Previous reports pegged Viñoly’s building at an additional $20 million.
The sandy areas at the “dune scrub”
The concept for the Pier first came about in 2009 after it received a structural overhaul, and since last year the Trust has been holding community meetings to gather input for the project. Overall, Olin’s plan was praised at last night’s meeting. B1 member Jeff Erlich said, “It’s great, it’s beautiful, no ifs, ands, or buts.”
Olin said the areas of lounge netting were quite “aspirational,” but would help visitors feel closer to the water. They’d be made of open metal mesh, but the architects noted that they may need a layer underneath to catch things like dropped cell phones. The blue rings would be for seating.
The Pier currently hosts a free kayaking program, and this past summer the new City Vineyard restaurant opened here. Construction will likely begin in a year, and the park is expected to be complete by 2019.
[Via Tribeca Citizen and DNAinfo]
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Images courtesy of Olin Studio
