Bankside Park opens, giving Mott Haven residents waterfront access for the first time in a century
Photos courtesy of Jakob Dahlin
A new public waterfront park officially opened at the sprawling Bankside development in the South Bronx. Brookfield Properties on Thursday cut the ribbon on Bankside Park, a green space and esplanade designed by landscape architects MPFP that stretches over an acre along the Harlem River. Located on a former brownfield site, the new park provides Mott Haven residents direct access to the waterfront for the first time in over a century. Bankside Park is a key component of the 4.3-acre Bankside, a $950 million seven-tower, mixed-use development.
MPFP’s design for the park draws inspiration from the natural flow and movement of the Harlem River, including planting beds that smoothly extend from the building’s facade to create areas for both passive and semi-active use. The green space features shady trees, open lawns, and wooden decks equipped with chaise lounge chairs, cafe seating, and custom shade trellises.
“The Bankside project brings an abundance of much-needed mixed-income housing, community retail, and now, a tranquil public park to this incredible neighborhood, and we are so grateful to our elected leaders, government officials, and local community for their support and partnership to make it happen,” Charlie Howe, vice president of Brookfield, said.
“Every New Yorker deserves access to clean, safe, and beautiful public green spaces, and we look forward to welcoming Bronxites and beyond to the new Bankside Park.”
Developed by Brookfield and designed by Hill West Architects, the $950 million Bankside development includes 1,379 apartments, with 30 percent designated rent-stabilized through the city’s Affordable New York program. The project is on two sites on either side of the Third Avenue Bridge.
The first phase, Third at Bankside, broke ground in 2019 and opened to residents in March 2022, featuring three towers with 458 waterfront apartments, including 138 rent-stabilized units.
Lincoln at Bankside, featuring four 26-story towers, broke ground in May 2020 and opened to residents in June 2023. The development contains 921 residential units, 277 of which are rent-stabilized.
Before Brookfield obtained the lots, the property was a Brownfield site contaminated by years of use for coal storage, vehicle repair, a bus depot, and a crane yard. Brookfield conducted a comprehensive remediation program and constructed a new shoreline bulkhead to address rising water levels, enhance upland connectivity to the river, and allow for the creation of Bankside Park.
“The Bankside Project stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to revitalizing the Bronx through sustainable and inclusive development,” Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said.Â
“This remarkable transformation of a former Brownfield site into a vibrant, mixed-income community with waterfront spaces accessible to all members of our Bronx community, demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together – we are not just building homes; we are creating opportunities, enhancing livability, and shaping a brighter future for all Bronx residents.”
In September 2023, a housing lottery launched for 132 middle-income apartments at Lincoln at Bankside, with units priced from $2,525/month for studios to $3,400/month for two bedrooms.
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