A design proposal envisions a cantilevered transit hub on Roosevelt Island

Roosevelt Island, the mile-long neighborhood that lies in the East River between Manhattan and Queens, will be a stop on the NYC Ferry route that connects Astoria to Wall Street beginning in August. While this will ease access to other parts of the city for residents of the island, French architect Victor Ostojic has another idea. As Curbed reported, Ostojic published a conceptual proposal of a cantilevered glass-covered ferry terminal on the western side of the island. Located parallel to Manhattan’s East 63rd Street, the terminal would include ground-floor retail, a food court, office space and a luxury hotel on top.

Ostojic first got the idea for his proposal during his internship with Studio V Architecture a few years ago. He lived on East 62nd Street and would watch the Roosevelt Island Tramway from his apartment, so decided to visit the island. There, he imagined the transportation hub and its potential location next to the F stop. Plus, Ostojic also proposes digging out the island behind the ferry terminal to create a marina that could more efficiently connect Roosevelt Island and Queens.

In addition to these ideas, Ostojic said creating a dedicated pedestrian walkway directly to the subway and tram entrances could improve the existing transportation options, especially considering Cornell Tech’s major Roosevelt Island plans. Down the line, he thinks the ferry terminal could provide a connection to LaGuardia Airport.

In an interview with Curbed, Ostojic said: “It would be very profitable to build on this waterfront, and it would take a previously industrial stretch of land and make it a public waterfront area that everyone can enjoy.”

[Via Curbed NY]

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• The History of the Roosevelt Island Tramway
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• Rockaway Ferry to take off in May, one month ahead of schedule

All renderings courtesy of Victor Ostojic