Architecture And Design

Central Park opens stunning year-round rec center that seamlessly connects to the landscape

Courtesy of Central Park Conservancy

April 25, 2025

Central Park opens stunning year-round rec center that seamlessly connects to the landscape

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A new recreation center has finally opened on the northern end of Central Park. The $160 million Davis Center at the Harlem Meer is a year-round facility integrated into the park's historic landscape with the ability to transform each season, from a pool in the summer, an ice rink in the winter, and a green lawn in the spring and fall.
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NYC could landmark five Garment District skyscrapers ahead of Midtown South rezoning

On left: Lefcourt Clothing Center, photo by Eden, Janine, and Jim on Flickr; On right: Barbey Building and Fashion Tower, courtesy of Landmarks Preservation Commission

April 24, 2025

NYC could landmark five Garment District skyscrapers ahead of Midtown South rezoning

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Several notable skyscrapers in the Garment District are up for landmark status. The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) on Tuesday voted to calendar five buildings in Midtown that are architecturally notable, as well as significant to the history of the neighborhood. The potential landmarking comes as Mayor Eric Adams' plan to rezone Midtown South, which would allow for up to 10,000 new homes, enters public review.
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Landmarks approves Frida Escobedo’s new Met Museum wing

Exterior rendering of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Tang Wing (view from the northwest corner). Visualization by © Filippo Bolognese Images, courtesy of Frida Escobedo Studio

April 23, 2025

Landmarks approves Frida Escobedo’s new Met Museum wing

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The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted to approve architect Frida Escobedo's design for a new wing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The $550 million Tang Wing will replace the Lila Acheson Wallace Wing at the museum's southwest corner and house its collection of 20th- and 21st-century art. The commission also approved landscape changes to Central Park next to the museum, which will include more trees and plantings.
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The Frick Collection reopens after $220M renovation: See inside the revitalized Gilded Age museum

West Gallery, The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.

April 17, 2025

The Frick Collection reopens after $220M renovation: See inside the revitalized Gilded Age museum

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The Frick Collection is back and more accessible than ever. Following a five-year, $220 million renovation, the Gilded Age house museum reopened on Thursday with more gallery space, an auditorium, improved accessibility, a new cafe, and access to the second floor for the first time. Designed by Selldorf Architects with Beyer Blinder Belle, the project marks the first upgrade and expansion of the 1914 mansion since the home became a museum 90 years ago.
see inside
Tompkins Square Park’s infamous bathrooms reopen after $5.6M renovation

All photos courtesy of NYC Parks / Daniel Avila

April 15, 2025

Tompkins Square Park’s infamous bathrooms reopen after $5.6M renovation

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You no longer have to hold your nose when using the bathroom at Tompkins Square Park—at least for now. On Monday, the city’s Parks Department reopened the East Village park’s field house following a two-year, $5.6 million renovation, finally restoring the restrooms after years of being known as some of the filthiest facilities in the five boroughs. The project included a full overhaul of the four bathrooms, with upgrades to the building’s electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems, as well as improvements to accessibility and the building’s exterior.
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The Met unveils last rooftop commission until at least 2030

Jennie C. Jones (born 1968, Cincinnati, Ohio). Installation view of The Roof Garden Commission: Jennie C. Jones, “Ensemble,” 2025. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photos by Hyla Skopitz

April 15, 2025

The Met unveils last rooftop commission until at least 2030

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art has unveiled its last commission for its rooftop until 2030. On view at the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden through October 19, "Ensemble" by Jennie C. Jones includes large sculptures based on string instruments that play sounds activated only by the wind. Free with museum admission, the installation marks the 12th and final Roof Garden commission before work begins on the new five-story Tang Wing for modern art designed by Frida Escobedo.
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Brooklyn Bridge Park opens new Pier 1 pavilion and plaza

All photos courtesy of Brooklyn Bridge Park / Alexa Hoyer

April 9, 2025

Brooklyn Bridge Park opens new Pier 1 pavilion and plaza

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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.
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NYC metro area could lose 80,000 homes to flooding by 2040

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

April 7, 2025

NYC metro area could lose 80,000 homes to flooding by 2040

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More than 80,000 homes in New York City’s low-lying neighborhoods and surrounding suburbs are at risk of being lost to flooding in the next 15 years, according to a new report. Released Monday by the Regional Plan Association (RPA), the report warns that the region's housing shortage could reach 1.2 million homes by 2040, as heightened flood risks render large portions of land across the five boroughs undevelopable. While Long Island is projected to face the most significant impact overall, waterfront neighborhoods in southeast Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island are among the most vulnerable.
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Barclays Center announces second phase of $100M renovation

Renderings courtesy of BSE Global

April 7, 2025

Barclays Center announces second phase of $100M renovation

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The Barclays Center will undergo several upgrades enhancing the fan experience. BSE Global, parent company of the arena, the Brooklyn Nets, and the New York Liberty, announced last week that the second phase of a five-year, $100 million renovation will add a membership club and a fan zone with unobstructed views and a bar. The work will begin at the end of the Nets' current season and be completed ahead of the start of the 2025-2026 NBA season.
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David Childs, architect behind One World Trade Center, dies at 83

(L) Credit: Silverstein Properties, (R) Credit: Phil Doby on Flickr

March 28, 2025

David Childs, architect behind One World Trade Center, dies at 83

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Visionary architect David Childs, who helped redefine the New York City skyline with the design of One World Trade Center, passed away at 83 on Thursday. Childs, the only partner to serve two terms as chairman of the renowned architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), succumbed to Lewy body dementia, his wife Annie told the New York Times. Best known for his work on the Freedom Tower, Childs also contributed to several other transformative projects in Manhattan, including 35 Hudson Yards, the Time Warner Center, and 7 World Trade Center.
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New York Liberty unveil state-of-the-art $80M practice facility in Greenpoint

Renderings courtesy of New York Liberty

March 27, 2025

New York Liberty unveil state-of-the-art $80M practice facility in Greenpoint

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The New York Liberty's new practice facility is fit for champions. The reigning WNBA champs on Thursday unveiled plans for an $80 million state-of-the-art training building on the waterfront in Greenpoint. Designed by Populous, the design team behind the Sphere in Las Vegas, the 75,000-square-foot facility will be one of the few dedicated practice spaces for a WNBA team and the first to be designed with insight from players.
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Leasing launches at Williamsburg Wharf, from $3,500/month

All images courtesy of Naftali Group

March 25, 2025

Leasing launches at Williamsburg Wharf, from $3,500/month

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Brooklyn's latest waterfront development officially launched leasing for its luxury rentals. Designed by Brandon Haw Architecture, Williamsburg Wharf contains five 22-story residential buildings and 20,000 square feet of amenities along the East River in South Williamsburg. Two Williamsburg Wharf and Three Williamsburg Wharf include 334 apartments across the two towers, with pricing starting from $3,500/month for a studio.
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Proposed Freedom Plaza casino complex next to U.N. reveals waterfront public park

Renderings courtesy of OJB Landscape Architecture

March 21, 2025

Proposed Freedom Plaza casino complex next to U.N. reveals waterfront public park

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Newly released renderings offer a closer look at a public waterfront park planned alongside a proposed casino complex near the United Nations. Unveiled on Thursday, the new video and imagery showcase the nearly 5-acre public park planned as part of Soloviev Group's proposed Freedom Plaza casino project. Designed by OJB Landscape Architects, the green space would feature an 18,000-square-foot central lawn, 1.2 miles of accessible pathways, a children's play area, an amphitheater, scenic overlooks, and more.
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350 Park Avenue supertall office tower officially enters public review

© DBOX for Foster + Partners

March 18, 2025

350 Park Avenue supertall office tower officially enters public review

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A proposed 1,600-foot-tall office tower set to reshape the New York City skyline officially entered public review this week. The Department of City Planning on Monday certified an application for 350 Park Avenue, a proposed 62-story building in Midtown East led by Vornado Realty Trust, Citadel, and Rudin Management, kicking off the seven-month uniform land use review procedure (ULURP). Designed by Foster + Partners, the project—the first new office building presented to the City Planning Commission in five years—calls for 1.8 million square feet of office space and a new public concourse, with Ken Griffin's Citadel and Citadel Securities as anchor tenants.
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$8B Citi Field casino and park proposal gets zoning approval from NYC Council

Credit: SHoP Architects, Field Operations

March 14, 2025

$8B Citi Field casino and park proposal gets zoning approval from NYC Council

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New York Mets owner Steve Cohen's $8 billion casino proposal near Citi Field cleared a major hurdle this week. On Tuesday, the City Council voted 41-2 in favor of zoning changes for the Metropolitan Park development, a sports and entertainment complex planned for 50 acres of parking lots around the Mets stadium. While the approval grants Cohen and his partners the ability to make zoning changes on the site, which sits on city parkland, the project still requires approval from several local and state officials.
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Central Park to open huge new rec center with pool and ice rink in April

Renderings courtesy of Susan T Rodriguez | Architecture • Design

March 12, 2025

Central Park to open huge new rec center with pool and ice rink in April

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A transformative project set to reconnect the neighborhoods at Central Park’s northern edge to the Harlem Meer is slated to open next month. The new $160 million Davis Center will open on April 26, the Central Park Conservancy announced on Wednesday. The Davis Center replaces the aging Lasker Rink and Pool with a state-of-the-art facility featuring a pool in the summer, a winter ice skating rink, a paved boardwalk, public open space, and more. One of the most ambitious undertakings in the Conservancy's history, the project also transforms the surrounding landscape, improving park access for residents of the primarily low-income communities bordering the park to the north.
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JetBlue’s flagship terminal at JFK Airport set for major NYC-themed makeover

Renderings courtesy of JetBlue

March 7, 2025

JetBlue’s flagship terminal at JFK Airport set for major NYC-themed makeover

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Big changes are coming to JetBlue's flagship Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, which is set to undergo a major New York City-inspired makeover. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) on Thursday announced a major refresh of Terminal 5, which includes adding more than 40 new concessions, art installations, and a redesigned center concourse inspired by the city's parks. The first new concessions will open later this year, with the terminal improvements set for completion by the end of 2026.
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Former East Harlem college dorm and migrant shelter to become 433 affordable homes

Streetview of 1760 Third Avenue, Map data © 2024 Google

March 3, 2025

Former East Harlem college dorm and migrant shelter to become 433 affordable homes

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A former college dormitory in East Harlem that also served as temporary shelter for migrants will become an affordable housing development. Gov. Kathy Hochul last week announced construction kicked off at 1760 Third Avenue, a 19-story building that once operated as student housing for CUNY and later housed hundreds of asylum seekers. Developed by Breaking Ground and designed by Dattener Architects, the project includes renovating and converting the building into 433 supportive and affordable homes, including 261 units reserved for individuals with mental illness. This marks the first supportive housing project funded under Hochul's landmark $1 billion mental health initiative.
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New Museum opening OMA-designed expansion this fall

Rendering of the expanded New Museum. All images courtesy of OMA/bloomimages.de

February 27, 2025

New Museum opening OMA-designed expansion this fall

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The expansion of the New Museum will finally open its doors on the Lower East Side this fall. Designed by OMA's Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas in collaboration with Cooper Robertson, the 60,000-square-foot, seven-story addition—the architecture firm's first public building in New York City—connects to the existing building, doubling its gallery space and improving visitor flow. The project includes a permanent home for the museum's cultural incubator NEW INC, a new outdoor plaza, and full-service restaurant.
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A first look inside the full-floor boutique offices at 520 Fifth Avenue

Credit: Binyan Studios

February 26, 2025

A first look inside the full-floor boutique offices at 520 Fifth Avenue

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New renderings offer a sneak peek at the 25 full floors of boutique office space at 520 Fifth Avenue, the tallest mixed-use tower on the iconic street. Situated on floors nine through 34 below the condo units, the offices, designed by AD100 designer Vicky Charles of Charles & Co., feature terraces and loggias, soaring ceiling heights, and 10-by-10-foot operable windows. Above the offices are 100 luxury condos, which launched sales last April.
Get a glimpse inside
This year’s NYBG Orchid Show brings the vibrancy of Mexican modernism to the Bronx

“The Orchid Show: Mexican Modernism.” All photos courtesy of the New York Botanical Garden

February 21, 2025

This year’s NYBG Orchid Show brings the vibrancy of Mexican modernism to the Bronx

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The New York Botanical Garden’s beloved Orchid Show officially opened this weekend, bringing the bold colors of Mexican modernism to the Bronx. Inspired by the work of Mexican modernist architect Luis Barragán, "The Orchid Show: Mexican Modernism" turns the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory into a vibrant landscape of thousands of orchids, tropical plants, and succulents like cacti and agave. The breathtaking display is on view through April 27.
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See the $700M climate research hub coming to Governors Island

Illustrative renderings courtesy of The New York Climate Exchange and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

February 20, 2025

See the $700M climate research hub coming to Governors Island

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A state-of-the-art hub dedicated to climate change research is moving forward on Governors Island. Led by Stony Brook University, the New York Climate Exchange is a cross-sector, nonprofit group dedicated to research and developing solutions to the global climate crisis. The Exchange on Thursday released new renderings of the 400,000-square-foot campus designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) to include classrooms, laboratories, student and facility housing, new open space, and more. The Exchange also announced the selection of Skanska USA as the construction manager for the climate center, which is scheduled to break ground next year.
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The world’s tallest Passive House building is coming to Brooklyn

All renderings courtesy of Alloy Development

February 18, 2025

The world’s tallest Passive House building is coming to Brooklyn

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The world's tallest Passive House building, a design standard aimed at cutting carbon emissions, is coming to Brooklyn. Alloy Development on Tuesday unveiled One Third Avenue, a 63-story mixed-use tower with 583 apartments, retail, and office space. Designed to be highly efficient, the project will complete the Alloy Block, a $500 million five-building development in Downtown Brooklyn with over 1,000 homes, the city's first all-electric skyscraper, 60,000 square feet of office space, and two Passive House public schools.
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Relive monumental public art installation ‘The Gates’ in Central Park, 20 years later

Photo: Wolfgang Volz© 2005 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation

February 13, 2025

Relive monumental public art installation ‘The Gates’ in Central Park, 20 years later

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"The Gates," the public art installation that took over Central Park with saffron-colored fabric panels for 16 days in 2005, is returning to New York City—virtually. To celebrate the installation's 20th anniversary, New Yorkers can relive the monumental artwork from Christo and Jeanne-Claude through an augmented reality experience on the Bloomberg Connects app. Plus, an exhibition now open at The Shed in Hudson Yards titled "Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Gates and Unrealized Projects for New York City," explores the legacy of the artists and their work, as well as the journey behind bringing "The Gates" to life.
details here
1,600-foot-tall office tower 350 Park Avenue prepares to enter public review

350 Park Avenue © DBOX for Foster + Partners

February 7, 2025

1,600-foot-tall office tower 350 Park Avenue prepares to enter public review

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A proposed supertall office tower in Midtown East is set to enter the public review process next month, according to a land use application filed with the city this week. Vornado Realty Trust, Citadel, and Rudin Management are looking to build a 1,600-foot-tall skyscraper at 350 Park Avenue. Set to replace three existing buildings, the fully electric tower will rise 62 stories and deliver 1.8 million square feet of office space and a new public concourse. Designed by Foster + Partners, Ken Griffin's Citadel and Citadel Securities would be the tower's anchor tenants, occupying at least 850,000 square feet.
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