Union Square Visioning

Expanding the public realm from building face to building face.

This endeavor, shaped by community input, centered on the expansion and transformation of public spaces, emphasizing cultural expression and the creation of innovative elements. Besides designing for pedestrian experiences and transportation, the plan also considered infrastructural systems, recommending containerized waste management for cleaner, more sustainable streets. As Broadway's pedestrianization continues, the approach also seeks to extend the public realm of Union Square Park, leveraging its past and culturally diverse present, and driving the district towards a more environmentally conscious, inclusive future.

Expanding the public realm from building face to building face.

This endeavor, shaped by community input, centered on the expansion and transformation of public spaces, emphasizing cultural expression and the creation of innovative elements like deployable street seats and planters.

Besides designing for pedestrian experiences and transportation, the plan also considered infrastructural systems, recommending containerized waste management for cleaner, more sustainable streets. As Broadway's pedestrianization continues, the approach also seeks to extend the public realm of Union Square Park, leveraging its past and culturally diverse present, and driving the district towards a more environmentally conscious, inclusive future.

Guido Hartray, and Tyler Silvestro, Partners at Marvel, lead an onsite outreach charrette for Union Square Partnership. © Marvel
The team undertook extensive community and stakeholder engagement where participants shared a range of feedback about the Union Square-14th Street, including things they love most, or would like to see improved in the district.
Significant development projects are underway in the district, solidifying its role as a world-class destination. © Marvel

Marvel unraveled the deeply complex, historic, dense, and urban public space surrounding Union Square to provide a clear, action-oriented implementation plan aimed at activating ground floor retail spaces while providing safe and exciting new public spaces without impacting traffic patterns.

Quantitative street traffic analysis using vehicular and pedestrian count data collected by NYC DOT. © Marvel

5 priority projects emerged from the community engagement process:

1. 14th Street Boulevard   2. Broadway Gateway   3. Union Square West    4. Union Square Triangle Park   5. Union Square Park Core
1. 14th Street Boulevard, 2. Broadway Gateway, 3. Union Square West, 4. Union Square Triangle Park, 5. Union Square Park Core. © Marvel
14th Street Shared Street. © Marvel
To connect Union Square to the surrounding building fabric the streetscape would be raised between 4th Avenue and University Place creating a shared 14th street and flush curb condition to encourage a more coherent and unified public space experiences throughout the district.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel BEFORE formatted N21 medium 1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel AFTER formatted N21 medium
Broadway’s transformation north of Union Square opens space for public realm expansion, creating a hub for wayfinding, gathering, art display, and permanent landmarks.
© Marvel
Enlarging the pedestrian area along the full length of Union Square West will transform the street into a seamless pedestrian plaza extending from the park up to the building facades.
The Triangle Park at Union Square has often felt like an afterthought to the historic district. The intention of the Union Square Triangle Park would be to extend the historic materials and paving through the space, and to provide a more porous and open layout for people to meet and gather.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel BEFORE formatted N20 medium 1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel AFTER formatted N20 medium
The south plaza of Union Square Park is one of the most frequently used and traversed public spaces in the entire City. By extending the granite paving radials beyond the current curb line, the plan acknowledges this attraction and commits to a design feature that seeks to extend beyond the Park Core.
© Marvel
Marvel addressed waste management by designing a system that consolidates waste collection for multiple retailers into one container and provides block-by-block data on daily waste and recycling volumes.
Street seating, planters, and benches create activity hubs throughout Union Square and 14th Street, enhancing the retail experience along this key Manhattan corridor.
© Marvel
The next step toward making the vision a reality is prioritizing each project. In this chart, the team included the design recommendations from the Major Projects, Park Infrastructure, and Streetscape Toolkit sections.

Expanding the public realm from building face to building face.

This endeavor, shaped by community input, centered on the expansion and transformation of public spaces, emphasizing cultural expression and the creation of innovative elements. Besides designing for pedestrian experiences and transportation, the plan also considered infrastructural systems, recommending containerized waste management for cleaner, more sustainable streets. As Broadway's pedestrianization continues, the approach also seeks to extend the public realm of Union Square Park, leveraging its past and culturally diverse present, and driving the district towards a more environmentally conscious, inclusive future.

 

The team undertook extensive community and stakeholder engagement where participants shared a range of feedback about the Union Square-14th Street, including things they love most, or would like to see improved in the district.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel N15
Significant development projects are underway in the district, solidifying its role as a world-class destination.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel N57

5 priority projects emerged from the community engagement process:

1. 14th Street Boulevard
2. Broadway Gateway
3. Union Square West
4. Union Square Triangle Park
5. Union Square Park Core
1819 N7
To connect Union Square to the surrounding building fabric the streetscape would be raised between 4th Avenue and University Place creating a shared 14th street and flush curb condition to encourage a more coherent and unified public space experiences throughout the district.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel AFTER formatted N21 medium
Broadway’s transformation north of Union Square opens space for public realm expansion, creating a hub for wayfinding, gathering, art display, and permanent landmarks.
1819 N3
Enlarging the pedestrian area along the full length of Union Square West will transform the street into a seamless pedestrian plaza extending from the park up to the building facades.
1819 N6
The Triangle Park at Union Square has often felt like an afterthought to the historic district. The intention of the Union Square Triangle Park would be to extend the historic materials and paving through the space, and to provide a more porous and open layout for people to meet and gather.
DCIM100MEDIADJI 0046.JPG
The south plaza of Union Square Park is one of the most frequently used and traversed public spaces in the entire City. By extending the granite paving radials beyond the current curb line, the plan acknowledges this attraction and commits to a design feature that seeks to extend beyond the Park Core.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel N29 medium
Marvel addressed waste management by designing a system that consolidates waste collection for multiple retailers into one container and provides block-by-block data on daily waste and recycling volumes.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel N26
Next Steps: Major Projects, Park Infrastructure, and Streetscape Toolkit recommendations.

Union Square Visioning

Expanding the public realm from building face to building face.

This endeavor, shaped by community input, centered on the expansion and transformation of public spaces, emphasizing cultural expression and the creation of innovative elements. Besides designing for pedestrian experiences and transportation, the plan also considered infrastructural systems, recommending containerized waste management for cleaner, more sustainable streets. As Broadway's pedestrianization continues, the approach also seeks to extend the public realm of Union Square Park, leveraging its past and culturally diverse present, and driving the district towards a more environmentally conscious, inclusive future.

Expanding the public realm from building face to building face.

This endeavor, shaped by community input, centered on the expansion and transformation of public spaces, emphasizing cultural expression and the creation of innovative elements like deployable street seats and planters.

Besides designing for pedestrian experiences and transportation, the plan also considered infrastructural systems, recommending containerized waste management for cleaner, more sustainable streets. As Broadway's pedestrianization continues, the approach also seeks to extend the public realm of Union Square Park, leveraging its past and culturally diverse present, and driving the district towards a more environmentally conscious, inclusive future.

Guido Hartray, and Tyler Silvestro, Partners at Marvel, lead an onsite outreach charrette for Union Square Partnership. © Marvel
The team undertook extensive community and stakeholder engagement where participants shared a range of feedback about the Union Square-14th Street, including things they love most, or would like to see improved in the district.
Significant development projects are underway in the district, solidifying its role as a world-class destination. © Marvel

Marvel unraveled the deeply complex, historic, dense, and urban public space surrounding Union Square to provide a clear, action-oriented implementation plan aimed at activating ground floor retail spaces while providing safe and exciting new public spaces without impacting traffic patterns.

Quantitative street traffic analysis using vehicular and pedestrian count data collected by NYC DOT. © Marvel

5 priority projects emerged from the community engagement process:

1. 14th Street Boulevard   2. Broadway Gateway   3. Union Square West    4. Union Square Triangle Park   5. Union Square Park Core
1. 14th Street Boulevard, 2. Broadway Gateway, 3. Union Square West, 4. Union Square Triangle Park, 5. Union Square Park Core. © Marvel
14th Street Shared Street. © Marvel
To connect Union Square to the surrounding building fabric the streetscape would be raised between 4th Avenue and University Place creating a shared 14th street and flush curb condition to encourage a more coherent and unified public space experiences throughout the district.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel BEFORE formatted N21 medium 1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel AFTER formatted N21 medium
Broadway’s transformation north of Union Square opens space for public realm expansion, creating a hub for wayfinding, gathering, art display, and permanent landmarks.
© Marvel
Enlarging the pedestrian area along the full length of Union Square West will transform the street into a seamless pedestrian plaza extending from the park up to the building facades.
The Triangle Park at Union Square has often felt like an afterthought to the historic district. The intention of the Union Square Triangle Park would be to extend the historic materials and paving through the space, and to provide a more porous and open layout for people to meet and gather.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel BEFORE formatted N20 medium 1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel AFTER formatted N20 medium
The south plaza of Union Square Park is one of the most frequently used and traversed public spaces in the entire City. By extending the granite paving radials beyond the current curb line, the plan acknowledges this attraction and commits to a design feature that seeks to extend beyond the Park Core.
© Marvel
Marvel addressed waste management by designing a system that consolidates waste collection for multiple retailers into one container and provides block-by-block data on daily waste and recycling volumes.
Street seating, planters, and benches create activity hubs throughout Union Square and 14th Street, enhancing the retail experience along this key Manhattan corridor.
© Marvel
The next step toward making the vision a reality is prioritizing each project. In this chart, the team included the design recommendations from the Major Projects, Park Infrastructure, and Streetscape Toolkit sections.

Expanding the public realm from building face to building face.

This endeavor, shaped by community input, centered on the expansion and transformation of public spaces, emphasizing cultural expression and the creation of innovative elements. Besides designing for pedestrian experiences and transportation, the plan also considered infrastructural systems, recommending containerized waste management for cleaner, more sustainable streets. As Broadway's pedestrianization continues, the approach also seeks to extend the public realm of Union Square Park, leveraging its past and culturally diverse present, and driving the district towards a more environmentally conscious, inclusive future.

 

The team undertook extensive community and stakeholder engagement where participants shared a range of feedback about the Union Square-14th Street, including things they love most, or would like to see improved in the district.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel N15
Significant development projects are underway in the district, solidifying its role as a world-class destination.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel N57

5 priority projects emerged from the community engagement process:

1. 14th Street Boulevard
2. Broadway Gateway
3. Union Square West
4. Union Square Triangle Park
5. Union Square Park Core
1819 N7
To connect Union Square to the surrounding building fabric the streetscape would be raised between 4th Avenue and University Place creating a shared 14th street and flush curb condition to encourage a more coherent and unified public space experiences throughout the district.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel AFTER formatted N21 medium
Broadway’s transformation north of Union Square opens space for public realm expansion, creating a hub for wayfinding, gathering, art display, and permanent landmarks.
1819 N3
Enlarging the pedestrian area along the full length of Union Square West will transform the street into a seamless pedestrian plaza extending from the park up to the building facades.
1819 N6
The Triangle Park at Union Square has often felt like an afterthought to the historic district. The intention of the Union Square Triangle Park would be to extend the historic materials and paving through the space, and to provide a more porous and open layout for people to meet and gather.
DCIM100MEDIADJI 0046.JPG
The south plaza of Union Square Park is one of the most frequently used and traversed public spaces in the entire City. By extending the granite paving radials beyond the current curb line, the plan acknowledges this attraction and commits to a design feature that seeks to extend beyond the Park Core.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel N29 medium
Marvel addressed waste management by designing a system that consolidates waste collection for multiple retailers into one container and provides block-by-block data on daily waste and recycling volumes.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel N26
Next Steps: Major Projects, Park Infrastructure, and Streetscape Toolkit recommendations.

Union Square Visioning

Expanding the public realm from building face to building face.

This endeavor, shaped by community input, centered on the expansion and transformation of public spaces, emphasizing cultural expression and the creation of innovative elements. Besides designing for pedestrian experiences and transportation, the plan also considered infrastructural systems, recommending containerized waste management for cleaner, more sustainable streets. As Broadway's pedestrianization continues, the approach also seeks to extend the public realm of Union Square Park, leveraging its past and culturally diverse present, and driving the district towards a more environmentally conscious, inclusive future.

Expanding the public realm from building face to building face.

This endeavor, shaped by community input, centered on the expansion and transformation of public spaces, emphasizing cultural expression and the creation of innovative elements like deployable street seats and planters.

Besides designing for pedestrian experiences and transportation, the plan also considered infrastructural systems, recommending containerized waste management for cleaner, more sustainable streets. As Broadway's pedestrianization continues, the approach also seeks to extend the public realm of Union Square Park, leveraging its past and culturally diverse present, and driving the district towards a more environmentally conscious, inclusive future.

Guido Hartray, and Tyler Silvestro, Partners at Marvel, lead an onsite outreach charrette for Union Square Partnership. © Marvel
The team undertook extensive community and stakeholder engagement where participants shared a range of feedback about the Union Square-14th Street, including things they love most, or would like to see improved in the district.
Significant development projects are underway in the district, solidifying its role as a world-class destination. © Marvel

Marvel unraveled the deeply complex, historic, dense, and urban public space surrounding Union Square to provide a clear, action-oriented implementation plan aimed at activating ground floor retail spaces while providing safe and exciting new public spaces without impacting traffic patterns.

Quantitative street traffic analysis using vehicular and pedestrian count data collected by NYC DOT. © Marvel

5 priority projects emerged from the community engagement process:

1. 14th Street Boulevard   2. Broadway Gateway   3. Union Square West    4. Union Square Triangle Park   5. Union Square Park Core
1. 14th Street Boulevard, 2. Broadway Gateway, 3. Union Square West, 4. Union Square Triangle Park, 5. Union Square Park Core. © Marvel
14th Street Shared Street. © Marvel
To connect Union Square to the surrounding building fabric the streetscape would be raised between 4th Avenue and University Place creating a shared 14th street and flush curb condition to encourage a more coherent and unified public space experiences throughout the district.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel BEFORE formatted N21 medium 1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel AFTER formatted N21 medium
Broadway’s transformation north of Union Square opens space for public realm expansion, creating a hub for wayfinding, gathering, art display, and permanent landmarks.
© Marvel
Enlarging the pedestrian area along the full length of Union Square West will transform the street into a seamless pedestrian plaza extending from the park up to the building facades.
The Triangle Park at Union Square has often felt like an afterthought to the historic district. The intention of the Union Square Triangle Park would be to extend the historic materials and paving through the space, and to provide a more porous and open layout for people to meet and gather.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel BEFORE formatted N20 medium 1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel AFTER formatted N20 medium
The south plaza of Union Square Park is one of the most frequently used and traversed public spaces in the entire City. By extending the granite paving radials beyond the current curb line, the plan acknowledges this attraction and commits to a design feature that seeks to extend beyond the Park Core.
© Marvel
Marvel addressed waste management by designing a system that consolidates waste collection for multiple retailers into one container and provides block-by-block data on daily waste and recycling volumes.
Street seating, planters, and benches create activity hubs throughout Union Square and 14th Street, enhancing the retail experience along this key Manhattan corridor.
© Marvel
The next step toward making the vision a reality is prioritizing each project. In this chart, the team included the design recommendations from the Major Projects, Park Infrastructure, and Streetscape Toolkit sections.

Expanding the public realm from building face to building face.

This endeavor, shaped by community input, centered on the expansion and transformation of public spaces, emphasizing cultural expression and the creation of innovative elements. Besides designing for pedestrian experiences and transportation, the plan also considered infrastructural systems, recommending containerized waste management for cleaner, more sustainable streets. As Broadway's pedestrianization continues, the approach also seeks to extend the public realm of Union Square Park, leveraging its past and culturally diverse present, and driving the district towards a more environmentally conscious, inclusive future.

 

The team undertook extensive community and stakeholder engagement where participants shared a range of feedback about the Union Square-14th Street, including things they love most, or would like to see improved in the district.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel N15
Significant development projects are underway in the district, solidifying its role as a world-class destination.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel N57

5 priority projects emerged from the community engagement process:

1. 14th Street Boulevard
2. Broadway Gateway
3. Union Square West
4. Union Square Triangle Park
5. Union Square Park Core
1819 N7
To connect Union Square to the surrounding building fabric the streetscape would be raised between 4th Avenue and University Place creating a shared 14th street and flush curb condition to encourage a more coherent and unified public space experiences throughout the district.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel AFTER formatted N21 medium
Broadway’s transformation north of Union Square opens space for public realm expansion, creating a hub for wayfinding, gathering, art display, and permanent landmarks.
1819 N3
Enlarging the pedestrian area along the full length of Union Square West will transform the street into a seamless pedestrian plaza extending from the park up to the building facades.
1819 N6
The Triangle Park at Union Square has often felt like an afterthought to the historic district. The intention of the Union Square Triangle Park would be to extend the historic materials and paving through the space, and to provide a more porous and open layout for people to meet and gather.
DCIM100MEDIADJI 0046.JPG
The south plaza of Union Square Park is one of the most frequently used and traversed public spaces in the entire City. By extending the granite paving radials beyond the current curb line, the plan acknowledges this attraction and commits to a design feature that seeks to extend beyond the Park Core.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel N29 medium
Marvel addressed waste management by designing a system that consolidates waste collection for multiple retailers into one container and provides block-by-block data on daily waste and recycling volumes.
1819 Union Square Visioning Marvel N26
Next Steps: Major Projects, Park Infrastructure, and Streetscape Toolkit recommendations.

Location

New York, NY

Client

Union Square Partnership

Typology

Size

9 acres

Design Team

Guido Hartray, Jonathan Marvel, Ishita Gaur, Tyler Silvestro

Consultants

Sam Schwartz Engineering (Civil & Traffic), LiFang (Render), Ellana (Cost Estimation).