Westside Waterfront

NEW YORK, NY, USA,1997

This unsolicited masterplan for the Manhattan waterfront from 14th Street to Battery Park City is a response to the tepid official plans for the reconstruction of the roadway. It takes as its premise the idea that the waterfront is not simply a seam between land and river but a gradient with effects felt deep in the city. Accordingly, the plan suggests a series of small parks and the “greening” of portions of local streets to bring the energy of the transformation as far as Sixth Avenue.

Along the water edge itself, a channel has been created to allow water born transportation to flow near the new boulevard, facilitating access. Building this channel requires the inborn ends of the existing piers to be snipped off and rebridged to allow passage of boats below. A number of new piers also are created for a variety of recreational activities. Additionally, a series of set piece waterfront spaces – including the grand Piazza San Giuliani – have been proposed.

Credits: Michael Sorkin, Andrei Vovk