Orchard Beach Pavilion officially open to the public
Orchard Beach Pavilion officially open to the public
NEW YORK, NY – Marvel, an award-winning design firm with offices in New York, San Juan, Richmond, and Barcelona, announces the reopening of the Orchard Beach Pavilion in the Bronx following a $114 million reconstruction project. The 140,000-square-foot landmark — the centerpiece of the Bronx’s only public beach — has opened its doors to the public for the first time in 17 years. An official ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for July 2026, once all construction work is complete.
Originally constructed in 1936 with Works Progress Administration funding and designated a New York City landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) in 2006, the pavilion is celebrated for its striking colonnaded facade, limestone cladding, glazed terracotta, bright blue tile accents, and ornate terrazzo flooring. The building had been fully closed since 2009. Marvel was engaged by NYC Parks and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) to lead the design of a comprehensive restoration that honors the pavilion’s historic character while meeting the demands of a modern, fully accessible public amenity.
Marvel’s design encompassed extensive structural and architectural restoration across the pavilion’s roofs, loggias, waiting rooms, limestone cladding, glazed terracotta, terrazzo floors, and metalwork. The firm championed the design of new improvements towards equitable access to all : new ramps at the landside entrance leads visitors to the upper promenade of the pavilion, while a curved brick-clad accessible ramp on the beach side connects the upper level to the lower plaza towards the beach, ensuring equitable circulation throughout the building for the first time. New site trees, regrading of the drop off area, new lighting and furnishings were integrated throughout the promenade and plaza.
The revitalized lower level is now open to the public, featuring upgraded restroom facilities. The fully renovated upper loggias offer views of the beach and Long Island Sound. Historic concession spaces were renovated with upgraded mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to accommodate new food and retail offerings in partnership with Unwind Hospitality Group; these are expected to open later this summer. A full-service restaurant space on the now enclosed north waiting room is scheduled to open in 2027.
“From the start of this project in 2018, our mission was clear: to restore this historic pavilion as the crown jewel of the Bronx Riviera and reimagine it as a welcoming, accessible place for the entire community.” said Annya Ramirez, Partner at Marvel
The reconstruction project was funded by the Mayor’s Office, the Office of the Bronx Borough President, the New York City Council, and New York State. Construction management services were provided by Gilbane. The project was reviewed and approved by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Orchard Beach, the Bronx’s only public beach, spans 115 acres and stretches 1.1 miles along Pelham Bay Park. The beach features a promenade, playgrounds, picnic areas, a soccer field, and courts for basketball, volleyball, and handball.
Concession spaces, with upgraded mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems for long-term resiliency, are expected to open later this summer, while the pavilion’s restaurant space is scheduled to open in 2027.
NEW YORK, NY – Marvel, an award-winning design firm with offices in New York, San Juan, Richmond, and Barcelona, announces the reopening of the Orchard Beach Pavilion in the Bronx following a $114 million reconstruction project. The 140,000-square-foot landmark — the centerpiece of the Bronx’s only public beach — has opened its doors to the public for the first time in 17 years. An official ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for July 2026, once all construction work is complete.
Originally constructed in 1936 with Works Progress Administration funding and designated a New York City landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) in 2006, the pavilion is celebrated for its striking colonnaded facade, limestone cladding, glazed terracotta, bright blue tile accents, and ornate terrazzo flooring. The building had been fully closed since 2009. Marvel was engaged by NYC Parks and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) to lead the design of a comprehensive restoration that honors the pavilion’s historic character while meeting the demands of a modern, fully accessible public amenity.
Marvel’s design encompassed extensive structural and architectural restoration across the pavilion’s roofs, loggias, waiting rooms, limestone cladding, glazed terracotta, terrazzo floors, and metalwork. The firm championed the design of new improvements towards equitable access to all : new ramps at the landside entrance leads visitors to the upper promenade of the pavilion, while a curved brick-clad accessible ramp on the beach side connects the upper level to the lower plaza towards the beach, ensuring equitable circulation throughout the building for the first time. New site trees, regrading of the drop off area, new lighting and furnishings were integrated throughout the promenade and plaza.
The revitalized lower level is now open to the public, featuring upgraded restroom facilities. The fully renovated upper loggias offer views of the beach and Long Island Sound. Historic concession spaces were renovated with upgraded mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to accommodate new food and retail offerings in partnership with Unwind Hospitality Group; these are expected to open later this summer. A full-service restaurant space on the now enclosed north waiting room is scheduled to open in 2027.
“From the start of this project in 2018, our mission was clear: to restore this historic pavilion as the crown jewel of the Bronx Riviera and reimagine it as a welcoming, accessible place for the entire community.” said Annya Ramirez, Partner at Marvel
The reconstruction project was funded by the Mayor’s Office, the Office of the Bronx Borough President, the New York City Council, and New York State. Construction management services were provided by Gilbane. The project was reviewed and approved by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Orchard Beach, the Bronx’s only public beach, spans 115 acres and stretches 1.1 miles along Pelham Bay Park. The beach features a promenade, playgrounds, picnic areas, a soccer field, and courts for basketball, volleyball, and handball.
Concession spaces, with upgraded mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems for long-term resiliency, are expected to open later this summer, while the pavilion’s restaurant space is scheduled to open in 2027.