Brooklyn Bridge Park opens new Pier 1 pavilion and plaza
All photos courtesy of Brooklyn Bridge Park / Alexa Hoyer
Marking its 15th anniversary, Brooklyn Bridge Park debuted a scenic and accessible new gateway into the beloved waterfront park this week. Designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA) and Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, the new pavilion acts as a front porch to the rest of the 85-acre park, featuring lush landscaping and an elevated view of the East River and Manhattan. The pavilion and plaza’s opening marks another chapter in the park’s evolution, from its gritty industrial beginnings to becoming one of the city’s most treasured public green spaces.
“As we celebrate our 15th Anniversary, today marks an exciting moment in the transformation of this space from an abandoned area to one of New York City’s most beloved public parks,” Eric Landau, president of Brooklyn Bridge Park, said.
“With the opening of the new Pier 1 Pavilion and Entryway, we have created a vibrant destination in the Park, where visitors can meet, gather, and enjoy this incredible public space.”
The pavilion is nestled within a grove of lush honey locust and ginkgo trees atop a small knoll, easily accessible by gently sloping paths and wide stairways. From this elevated perch, visitors can take in sweeping views of the river and skyline, as well as enjoy sightlines deeper into the park.
Composed of three stone structures, the pavilion opens onto the park with two-tone pavers that enhance the flow through the space. Designed as a calming refuge, the space serves as both an accessible gathering spot and a welcoming gateway to the park.
Photovoltaic shingles on the pavilion’s roof are expected to generate enough energy to fully power Pier 1 and achieve net-zero status. Underneath, the roof features yellow-green porcelain penny tiles, echoing the seasonal colors of the surrounding trees. An oculus cantilevered above the central gathering space connects visitors with the open sky while providing shelter.
A new cafe from Breads Bakery expands the park’s culinary offerings with its signature babka and artisanal pastries. Plus, the pavilion also boasts new public restrooms, including the park’s first private family and gender-neutral facilities.
One of the largest public projects ever created in New York City, Brooklyn Bridge Park was transformed from a dilapidated industrial area into a vibrant, 85-acre civic landscape.
“Brooklyn Bridge Park shows what happens when we dream big for our public spaces, with the public and private sectors coming together to transform the vestiges of our city’s industrial past into a community treasure that fits all needs,” Deputy Mayor for Operations Jeff Roth said.
“A beautiful gateway to the park and a symbol of our environmental commitments in equal measure, the new Pier 1 Entryway is the kind of forward-thinking public investment that makes New York City special.”
Primarily designed by MVVA, Brooklyn Bridge Park stands apart from other iconic green spaces worldwide with its innovative design. Rather than adhering to traditional park features, it creates a “new kind of urban edge,” according to Curbed, serving as a “multilayered buffer zone” that accounts for the future effects of climate change.
In 2020, three acres of new parkland opened east of Pier 2, bringing Brooklyn Bridge Park to 95 percent completion. The Pier 2 Uplands include a 6,300-square-foot lawn and a water play area constructed using salvaged pieces of Pier 3. Runoff from the play area is collected in an underground retention tank and reused to irrigate the site.
RELATED:
