ONE Architecture & Urbanism made its mark in New York City more than a decade ago after the Amsterdam-based office rolled out a comprehensive master plan for Lower Manhattan with Bjarke Ingels Group, dubbed “The BIG U.”
Now, ONE has grand plans to transform another coastal area: Coney Island. New York City Mayor Eric Adams debuted a multifaceted masterplan for the swath of Brooklyn coastline frequented by locals and tourists alike for its amusement park.
The new plan by ONE, “Coney Island West,” would deliver 1,500 new housing units spread across multiple buildings. It would also renovate the Abe Stark Sports Center and the Riegelmann Boardwalk that’s been centered by many, many artists, and the site of countless first kisses. (Maxim Gorky’s Boredom is this author’s personal favorite bit of Coney Island lore.)
After Adams shared the plan, NYCEDC released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for “Parcel A”—the development site for Coney Island West. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was also issued by NYCEDC to invite design-build teams capable of renovating the boardwalk, which entails significant coastal resilience features, including raising the site’s elevation.
A rendering shows terraced towers that overlook the Atlantic Ocean, just a short walk from the once thrilling but now defunct Parachute Jump, an emblem of Coney Island’s past and present. “The city is seeking developers who share a vision for inclusive, sustainable growth that honors Coney Island’s rich history and contributes to the neighborhood’s ongoing revitalization,” the Mayor’s Office said in a statement.
Phase one of Coney Island West, Parcel A, will be built on an 80,000-square-foot site owned by the City between West 21 and 22 Streets on Surf Avenue, due west of the Coney Island Amusement District.
This portion will deliver 500 units, 25 percent of which will be affordable. Then, an additional 1,000 homes will be built near the Coney Island Cyclones stadium, boardwalk, and Abe Stark Center, the city shared in a press release.
A timeline for project completion wasn’t issued.
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