Artist rendering of the Stapleton Waterfront. Courtesy of NYCEDC.
With miles of waterfront space and vast numbers of outdated buildings, it’s no surprise that there are so many revitalization projects kicking off in Staten Island. The Stapleton Waterfront, part of the North Shore neighborhood, is just one of those places.
In 1983 Stapleton was selected to become a naval base. Ten years later, due to a heavy dose of politics, the plans were scrapped and the area languished. After years of meetings the Stapleton Waterfront finally found its home at the esplanade. Determined to create a new mixed-use space, along with borough-wide support, the Mayor’s office selected Ironstate Development to lead the way. This collaborative project, which was convened in 2011 to help transform the former decommissioned U.S. Naval base, was the result of then-Mayor Bloomberg’s Homeport Task Force.
Working with innovative Dutch design firm Concrete Architects, as well as New Jersey-based Minno and Wasko, the Staten Island project will feature prominent shared public spaces for residents, creating a deeper sense of community. The waterfront will also feature housing, retail, and a brand new esplanade.
Additionally, the massive project will include the construction of the New York Wheel, the largest Ferris wheel in the Western Hemisphere; a new mall, Empire Outlets; and the Lighthouse Point development project. Phase one of the new Stapleton Waterfront project, anticipated to begin in 2015, will create more than 1,100 construction jobs and 150 permanent jobs — a great boon to Staten Island’s developing economy.
With a nod to Hurricane Sandy’s heavy damage to the borough, the developers have also addressed the potential for major storms by ensuring that all planned buildings meet increased elevation guidelines, and the creation of tidal wetlands to mitigate possible storm surges and flooding.
The goal is to create a flourishing community for the busy urban professional. David Barry, President of Ironstate Development, said, “Our project is designed to meet this need with smartly designed residences, forward-thinking amenities, open space, carefully selected boutique shops, restaurants, and convenient access to mass transportation to create a vibrant, sustainable environment for the 21st Century.” Sounds good to us!
