The Elevated Acre at 55 Water St.
The Elevated Acre is a one-acre garden oasis at 55 Water Street in Manhattan’s Financial District with panoramic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and New York Harbor amidst lush seasonal flora and under the plaza’s beacon tower.
The design for this elevated plaza transformed a barren, windswept deck into a vibrant, multi-programmed and accessible public park. © Nathan Sayers
The new site ties into the planned Green Necklace that circles the edge of Manhattan.
Panoramic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and New York Harbor under the plaza’s beacon tower. © Nathan Sayers
A gleaming cascade of new escalators, stairs and planting beckons pedestrians at street level to discover what may be at the top. Planters and glowing glass panels help break up the ascent from street level. The original park was
planned as part of an unrealized ring of pedestrian urban spaces at 33’ above street level. © Nathan Sayers
The structure allows each panel of glass to be installed within a three-inch tolerance, giving the facade a subtle texture. © Nathan Sayers
The ipe clad base of the tower provides storage for food service and other event support. © Nathan Sayers
The Beacon is illuminated by programmable LEDs announcing the park to visitors along the highway, the harbor and across the river in Brooklyn Heights. © Nathan Sayers
The Elevated Acre provides support space for year-round events, additional park amenities and concessions services. The Park is designed to host a wide range of year-round programs from an ice-rink to outdoor amphitheater and wedding
receptions. © Nathan Sayers
The elevated acre is the site of many public events. Ipe and steel benches sit near the planted ‘hills,’ providing moments of relative privacy. © Peter Mauss/ESTO
© Nathan Sayers
Neighbors meet for movies under the stars. Photo courtesy of NY Magazine.
Competition Boards
New York from Brooklyn Heights 1834
Graham; A.W. after; T.K. Wharton. New York from Brooklyn Heights.; 1834.; Engraving.; Painted and Engraved for the New York Mirror 1834. Picture Collection © The New York Public Library; Astor; Lenox and Tilden Foundations
© Nathan Sayers
![Elevated-Acre-at-55-Water-Street-Evening-View]](https://marvelarchitects.com/files/images/elevated-acre-at-55-water-stre9714.jpg)
Evening View
Concrete benches surround the event lawn allowing the space to function as an amphitheater. Concealed LEDs illuminate the steps. © Nathan Sayers
- Year
- 2005
- Location
- Manhattan, New York
- Client
- The New Water Street Corporation
- Typology
- Public, Park /Recreation
- Size
- 1 Acre space in lower Manhattan SF
- Design Team
- Petersson Viggo
- Consultants
- Ken Smith Workshop
- Awards
- AIA NYC Building Type Awards, Urban Design Honor, AIA NY State Collaborative Design Merit, Greater NY Construction User Council, Outstanding Project Award, Municipal Art Society NYC MASterwork Award
- Photography Credits
- Nathan Sayers, Peter Mauss/ESTO, NY Magazine
