The Elevated Acre at 55 Water St.
Underutilized public plaza is re-invigorated as an active public oasis, crowned by a luminous glass beacon in Lower Manhattan's Financial District.
The Elevated Acre, a project by Marvel, transforms a previously forgotten elevated deck at 55 Water Street into a vibrant, accessible public space. In a design proposal selected from an open competition, the transformation involves integrating the open space with the planned Green Necklace, adding escalators, plantings, and terraces to bring the park to street level, and enhancing accessibility with an illuminated escalator and stairway. The plaza offers various spaces for public use, including a lawn, amphitheater-style seating, and a raised boardwalk offering panoramic views of Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the New York Harbor.
Underutilized public plaza is re-invigorated as an active public oasis, crowned by a luminous glass beacon in Lower Manhattan's Financial District.
The Elevated Acre, a project by Marvel, transforms a previously forgotten elevated deck at 55 Water Street into a vibrant, accessible public space. In a design proposal selected from an open competition, the transformation involves integrating the open space with the planned Green Necklace, adding escalators, plantings, and terraces to bring the park to street level, and enhancing accessibility with an illuminated escalator and stairway.
The plaza offers various spaces for public use, including a lawn, amphitheater-style seating, and a raised boardwalk offering panoramic views of Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the New York Harbor.
The design for this elevated plaza transformed a barren, windswept deck into a vibrant, multi-programmed and accessible public space. The project, a result of a private-public partnership, exemplifies the potential of well-designed, privately-owned public spaces.
"Tucked between two office buildings at 55 Water Street is a hard-to-find escalator which whisks you up to The Elevated Acre. Don’t be daunted though, this transformed public plaza in the Financial District is well worth the hunt."
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.
A key feature is a large, internally-lit glass beacon that changes color, adding to the ambiance of the park and the New York skyline.
The boardwalk along the eastern edge offers panoramic views of the Brooklyn Bridge, South Street Seaport, the East River, and Brooklyn.
"Who would expect to find this little oasis of gardens, panoramic views, leisure and relaxation snug right in the middle of the Financial District? It nearly takes away the droning hum of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and FDR Drive just nearby."
Section through the site. The open space extends up from the street and over the water to allow better views across the highway.
LED lights provide a slowly changing color palette. The beacon’s colors are drawn from the atmosphere; the sky and clouds and the hues that are created as sunlight is reflected and transmitted at sunrise and sunset. Frequently, the beacon is programmed according to the four seasons.
The structure allows each panel of glass to be installed within a three-inch tolerance, giving the facade a subtle texture.
The Elevated Acre is the site of many public events. Wood and steel benches sit near the planted ‘hills,’ providing moments of relative privacy.
Underutilized public plaza is re-invigorated as an active public oasis, crowned by a luminous glass beacon in Lower Manhattan's Financial District.
The Elevated Acre, a project by Marvel, transforms a previously forgotten elevated deck at 55 Water Street into a vibrant, accessible public space. In a design proposal selected from an open competition, the transformation involves integrating the open space with the planned Green Necklace, adding escalators, plantings, and terraces to bring the park to street level, and enhancing accessibility with an illuminated escalator and stairway. The plaza offers various spaces for public use, including a lawn, amphitheater-style seating, and a raised boardwalk offering panoramic views of Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the New York Harbor.
The design for this elevated plaza transformed a barren, windswept deck into a vibrant, multi-programmed and accessible public space. The project, a result of a private-public partnership, exemplifies the potential of well-designed, privately-owned public spaces.
"Tucked between two office buildings at 55 Water Street is a hard-to-find escalator which whisks you up to The Elevated Acre. Don’t be daunted though, this transformed public plaza in the Financial District is well worth the hunt."
Marianne Howard, "Elevated Acre, NYC Financial District's Secret Plaza at 55 Water Street", Untapped New York.
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.
Section through the site. The open space extends up from the street and over the water to allow better views across the highway.
LED lights provide a slowly changing color palette. The beacon’s colors are drawn from the atmosphere; the sky and clouds and the hues that are created as sunlight is reflected and transmitted at sunrise and sunset. Frequently, the beacon is programmed according to the four seasons.
The Elevated Acre is the site of many public events. Wood and steel benches sit near the planted ‘hills,’ providing moments of relative privacy.
The Elevated Acre at 55 Water St.
Underutilized public plaza is re-invigorated as an active public oasis, crowned by a luminous glass beacon in Lower Manhattan's Financial District.
The Elevated Acre, a project by Marvel, transforms a previously forgotten elevated deck at 55 Water Street into a vibrant, accessible public space. In a design proposal selected from an open competition, the transformation involves integrating the open space with the planned Green Necklace, adding escalators, plantings, and terraces to bring the park to street level, and enhancing accessibility with an illuminated escalator and stairway. The plaza offers various spaces for public use, including a lawn, amphitheater-style seating, and a raised boardwalk offering panoramic views of Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the New York Harbor.
Underutilized public plaza is re-invigorated as an active public oasis, crowned by a luminous glass beacon in Lower Manhattan's Financial District.
The Elevated Acre, a project by Marvel, transforms a previously forgotten elevated deck at 55 Water Street into a vibrant, accessible public space. In a design proposal selected from an open competition, the transformation involves integrating the open space with the planned Green Necklace, adding escalators, plantings, and terraces to bring the park to street level, and enhancing accessibility with an illuminated escalator and stairway.
The plaza offers various spaces for public use, including a lawn, amphitheater-style seating, and a raised boardwalk offering panoramic views of Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the New York Harbor.
The design for this elevated plaza transformed a barren, windswept deck into a vibrant, multi-programmed and accessible public space. The project, a result of a private-public partnership, exemplifies the potential of well-designed, privately-owned public spaces.
"Tucked between two office buildings at 55 Water Street is a hard-to-find escalator which whisks you up to The Elevated Acre. Don’t be daunted though, this transformed public plaza in the Financial District is well worth the hunt."
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.
A key feature is a large, internally-lit glass beacon that changes color, adding to the ambiance of the park and the New York skyline.
The boardwalk along the eastern edge offers panoramic views of the Brooklyn Bridge, South Street Seaport, the East River, and Brooklyn.
"Who would expect to find this little oasis of gardens, panoramic views, leisure and relaxation snug right in the middle of the Financial District? It nearly takes away the droning hum of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and FDR Drive just nearby."
Section through the site. The open space extends up from the street and over the water to allow better views across the highway.
LED lights provide a slowly changing color palette. The beacon’s colors are drawn from the atmosphere; the sky and clouds and the hues that are created as sunlight is reflected and transmitted at sunrise and sunset. Frequently, the beacon is programmed according to the four seasons.
The structure allows each panel of glass to be installed within a three-inch tolerance, giving the facade a subtle texture.
The Elevated Acre is the site of many public events. Wood and steel benches sit near the planted ‘hills,’ providing moments of relative privacy.
Underutilized public plaza is re-invigorated as an active public oasis, crowned by a luminous glass beacon in Lower Manhattan's Financial District.
The Elevated Acre, a project by Marvel, transforms a previously forgotten elevated deck at 55 Water Street into a vibrant, accessible public space. In a design proposal selected from an open competition, the transformation involves integrating the open space with the planned Green Necklace, adding escalators, plantings, and terraces to bring the park to street level, and enhancing accessibility with an illuminated escalator and stairway. The plaza offers various spaces for public use, including a lawn, amphitheater-style seating, and a raised boardwalk offering panoramic views of Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the New York Harbor.
The design for this elevated plaza transformed a barren, windswept deck into a vibrant, multi-programmed and accessible public space. The project, a result of a private-public partnership, exemplifies the potential of well-designed, privately-owned public spaces.
"Tucked between two office buildings at 55 Water Street is a hard-to-find escalator which whisks you up to The Elevated Acre. Don’t be daunted though, this transformed public plaza in the Financial District is well worth the hunt."
Marianne Howard, "Elevated Acre, NYC Financial District's Secret Plaza at 55 Water Street", Untapped New York.
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.
Section through the site. The open space extends up from the street and over the water to allow better views across the highway.
LED lights provide a slowly changing color palette. The beacon’s colors are drawn from the atmosphere; the sky and clouds and the hues that are created as sunlight is reflected and transmitted at sunrise and sunset. Frequently, the beacon is programmed according to the four seasons.
The Elevated Acre is the site of many public events. Wood and steel benches sit near the planted ‘hills,’ providing moments of relative privacy.
The Elevated Acre at 55 Water St.
Underutilized public plaza is re-invigorated as an active public oasis, crowned by a luminous glass beacon in Lower Manhattan's Financial District.
The Elevated Acre, a project by Marvel, transforms a previously forgotten elevated deck at 55 Water Street into a vibrant, accessible public space. In a design proposal selected from an open competition, the transformation involves integrating the open space with the planned Green Necklace, adding escalators, plantings, and terraces to bring the park to street level, and enhancing accessibility with an illuminated escalator and stairway. The plaza offers various spaces for public use, including a lawn, amphitheater-style seating, and a raised boardwalk offering panoramic views of Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the New York Harbor.
Underutilized public plaza is re-invigorated as an active public oasis, crowned by a luminous glass beacon in Lower Manhattan's Financial District.
The Elevated Acre, a project by Marvel, transforms a previously forgotten elevated deck at 55 Water Street into a vibrant, accessible public space. In a design proposal selected from an open competition, the transformation involves integrating the open space with the planned Green Necklace, adding escalators, plantings, and terraces to bring the park to street level, and enhancing accessibility with an illuminated escalator and stairway.
The plaza offers various spaces for public use, including a lawn, amphitheater-style seating, and a raised boardwalk offering panoramic views of Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the New York Harbor.
The design for this elevated plaza transformed a barren, windswept deck into a vibrant, multi-programmed and accessible public space. The project, a result of a private-public partnership, exemplifies the potential of well-designed, privately-owned public spaces.
"Tucked between two office buildings at 55 Water Street is a hard-to-find escalator which whisks you up to The Elevated Acre. Don’t be daunted though, this transformed public plaza in the Financial District is well worth the hunt."
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.
A key feature is a large, internally-lit glass beacon that changes color, adding to the ambiance of the park and the New York skyline.
The boardwalk along the eastern edge offers panoramic views of the Brooklyn Bridge, South Street Seaport, the East River, and Brooklyn.
"Who would expect to find this little oasis of gardens, panoramic views, leisure and relaxation snug right in the middle of the Financial District? It nearly takes away the droning hum of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and FDR Drive just nearby."
Section through the site. The open space extends up from the street and over the water to allow better views across the highway.
LED lights provide a slowly changing color palette. The beacon’s colors are drawn from the atmosphere; the sky and clouds and the hues that are created as sunlight is reflected and transmitted at sunrise and sunset. Frequently, the beacon is programmed according to the four seasons.
The structure allows each panel of glass to be installed within a three-inch tolerance, giving the facade a subtle texture.
The Elevated Acre is the site of many public events. Wood and steel benches sit near the planted ‘hills,’ providing moments of relative privacy.
Underutilized public plaza is re-invigorated as an active public oasis, crowned by a luminous glass beacon in Lower Manhattan's Financial District.
The Elevated Acre, a project by Marvel, transforms a previously forgotten elevated deck at 55 Water Street into a vibrant, accessible public space. In a design proposal selected from an open competition, the transformation involves integrating the open space with the planned Green Necklace, adding escalators, plantings, and terraces to bring the park to street level, and enhancing accessibility with an illuminated escalator and stairway. The plaza offers various spaces for public use, including a lawn, amphitheater-style seating, and a raised boardwalk offering panoramic views of Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the New York Harbor.
The design for this elevated plaza transformed a barren, windswept deck into a vibrant, multi-programmed and accessible public space. The project, a result of a private-public partnership, exemplifies the potential of well-designed, privately-owned public spaces.
"Tucked between two office buildings at 55 Water Street is a hard-to-find escalator which whisks you up to The Elevated Acre. Don’t be daunted though, this transformed public plaza in the Financial District is well worth the hunt."
Marianne Howard, "Elevated Acre, NYC Financial District's Secret Plaza at 55 Water Street", Untapped New York.
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.
Section through the site. The open space extends up from the street and over the water to allow better views across the highway.
LED lights provide a slowly changing color palette. The beacon’s colors are drawn from the atmosphere; the sky and clouds and the hues that are created as sunlight is reflected and transmitted at sunrise and sunset. Frequently, the beacon is programmed according to the four seasons.