Gansevoort Peninsula is the largest single park space in Hudson River Park will include Manhattan’s first public beach Construction on the 5.5-acre project is expected to start this spring
The Hudson River Park Trust recently announced three Requests for Proposals (RFP) for the construction of the 5.5-acre Gansevoort Peninsula, which will provide direct waterfront access for the public with a resilient beachfront as well as the largest single greenspace in the Park.
Construction is slated to begin this spring. The $70 million project is funded primarily by the City of New York and restricted funds to the Trust and expected to open in spring 2023.
“Gansevoort Peninsula will be a spectacular public space for all New Yorkers, whether they’re enjoying Manhattan’s first public beach, playing on the ballfields or looking out in the salt marsh,” said Madelyn Wils, President & CEO of the Hudson River Park Trust. “As Hudson River Park moves closer to completion, we are excited to be in position to start construction on one of our signature projects this coming spring. Thank you to our funding partner, the City of New York, for its support of what will be the largest single greenspace in Hudson River Park.”
Located in Hudson River Park between Gansevoort Street and Little West 12th Street, Gansevoort Peninsula will include a sandy beach area with kayak access on the south side; a lawn and seating area north of the beach; a large sports field; a salt marsh with habitat enhancements on the north side, a dog run and on its western side, picnic tables and lounge chairs.
The Whitney Museum of American Art is also building “Day’s End” by David Hammons on the southern edge of the peninsula in partnership with the Trust, which will be one of the country’s largest public art projects upon completion later this year.
Gansevoort Peninsula is just one of a slew of signature projects either recently opened or underway along the four-mile park. Overall, the Trust is spearheading more than $1 billion in public-private partnerships in ongoing construction toward completion of the Park.
In September, the Trust opened Pier 26, the first new public pier to open in the Park in a decade, to much acclaim. The park features a first-of-its-kind tide deck, a sunning lawn, a sports court for children’s play, and multiple lounge areas with sprawling views of the city skyline and Hudson River.
At the same time, construction is nearing completion on Little Island, the planned public park pier and performance space once known as Pier55 and expected to open this spring. That project was made possible through funding from the Diller-Von Furstenberg Family Foundation along with the City of New York. Work is also ongoing at Pier 57, a mixed-use development by RXR Realty/Youngwoo and anchored by Google, which will include more than three acres of public open space, including a rooftop park and perimeter esplanade and substantial indoor public space anchored by exhibition and classroom space for Hudson River Park’s River Project – also expected to open this year. At the same time, the Trust plans to break ground this spring on two additional public park projects: Pier 97, which will include a lawn, playground, sunset plaza, and youth soccer fields, along with an esplanade connection to Riverside Park South; and a reconfiguration of Chelsea Waterside Park, which will include a rebuilt ball field, picnic areas and an enlarged ball field, joining the new and popular playground.
Images credit: James Corner Field Operations, courtesy of the Hudson River Park Trust
