June 18, 2008
South Street Seaport Redevelopment Plans Released
General Growth Properties released the details of their redevelopment plan for South Street Seaport today. GGP's CEO John Bucksbaum said, "Our vision for the transformation of the Seaport is the centerpiece of GGP's commitment to New York and its residents. We are proud to work closely with the New York City Economic Development Corporation to preserve and restore the unique character of this historic area while addressing the immediate and long-term needs of Lower Manhattan's growing community."
Earlier this year the community rejected their plans -- but now they're promising a Seaport that combines the visions of local business leaders and the community. The plan will replace the enclosed mall with a pedestrian district, and create more than two acres of additional open space. Expect to see new shops, restaurants, a boutique hotel, a five-star hotel and a residential building (aiming to be 42-stories high)...if all goes as planned.
Lower Manhattan's SHoP Architects designed the new look, they're also working with the city to design the East River Esplanade and Piers Project, and hope to merge styles between the two projects.
Overall, the goal is to put the historic back on the map for everyone, not just those looking for a new Abercrombie & Fitch tee. The Landmarks Preservation Commission will now review the plan, which if approved could become a reality by 2014 (after the 4 years of projected construction).
The press release from GGP notes that they have "already begun energizing Pier 17 and the cobblestone-paved 'uplands' west of the FDR Drive with events and new vendors. The former fish-market stalls along South Street will be converted into a daily specialty food market. The Seaport will also continue hosting free public performances, concerts, and attractions." Learn more about the massive undertaking at The New Seaport. Curbed asks if a Chicago-based mall developer can gain the approval for a view-obscuring tower; allegedly there was a huge opposition when the project was presented to CB1. They also have more detailed photos of the plans.
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Ugh. Both the new brown building and the residential tower are hideous. Is ugly the new black? Seems like every architect is out to top each other in terms of how ugly they can make buildings nowadays. Of course, Gehry remains at the top of the heap where that's concerned. Even the current Pier 17 mall looks better than this crap.
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Oh good lord you've got to be kidding me
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the sad part is that the seaport is not rundown and the structure is pretty new and fully functional. They are going to tear it down and rebuild it just to sell to new vendors. Such a waste. If only they could transplant the seaport structure to someplace they need it like new orleans. Basically, they are going to use time, money and energy to tear down a perfectly good mall and build a bigger one at the expense of ecology and economy.
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A giant hulking residential tower that intentionally looks as though it's covered by scaffolding is EXACTLY what lower Manhattan needs.
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Why would you put glass and steel boxes on an historic waterfront? - the only active historic waterfront area left in Manhattan.
Is quality traditional architecture and vibrant public space in the city's few historic areas too much to ask? You know we should be building something like this:
http://www.copenhagenpictures.dk/nyhavn.html
or this:
http://www.seegranvilleisland.com/
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vomit. i'm honestly HOPING for this to join the other 'plans' for nyc (freedom tower, fulton st station, 2nd ave subway, whatever they're going to do with that westside rail yard, east side access...the list continues)
failcat where are you??
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Does anyone besides tourists go to South Street Seaport anyway?
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Whatever happened to laying out street grids; zoning for mixed-use buildings; dividing up blocks into small- and medium-sized plots; and then selling them off to developers (and reserving a few units for affordable housing)? You know, like how EVERY PART OF NEW YORK CITY that has ever been loved by anyone with a human soul was ever built?
Oh, right. I forgot! Architects are pricks who spit on the public, city planners are ineffectual nebbishes who wouldn't know good urbanism if Jane Jacobs smacked them in the face with it (which she DID), and developers are, well, I don't even have to go there; the body count speaks for itself.
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Is this the same General Growth Properties that's based in Chicago and owns or manages a string of shitty malls across the country that they've let run down as they sqeeze every last nickel out that dying retail category? So now they propose this laughable monstrosity for a quasi historical property in a very historical section of Lower manhattan that's already lost Coenties Slip, and nearly every other Pre-Civil war structure? Kill this obnoxious fucker now!
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James Rouse is rolling over in his grave right now.
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yes it is the same General Growth Chicago Wiz Kids, who were so smart they paid Rouse $72 per share to buy a company worth $30 now they are stuck with $12 Billion aditional debt and figure they can get the NYC EDC to foot the bill for the NEW SEAPORT, what a joke. The Tax payer already paid Rouse once for the redevelopment, now these out of town clowns want to double dip.
Julie Menin was warned about GGP two years ago in writing, now it's dawning on her who she partnered up with. I'd like to see her e-mails now crying to those other Bloomberg crooks at the EDC. Also how much public money was spent on the Cirq Du Soliel deal Rouse and Related called of at Pier 17 when GGP bought the inflated Rouse Co. in 2004??????????????
Fools. CHABAY A Seaport Tenant
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Why do all these new building plans always suck so badly?
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what a steaming pile of shit.
Do we NEED a 42 story building that looks like it's wrapped in chicken wire along the water front?
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There is a new site devoted to public feedback on architecture. It has an article about this project. Your opinions would be welcome there as well! See: http://www.usarch.org/node/6