This week we saw designs for two large condo towers planned for what will be among the last sites available for residential use in Battery Park City. At right is 1 River Terrace (also now known as the River House condo at Rockefeller Park), a 320 unit condo designed by Polshek Partnership with Ismael Leyva. Located in the north end of the development, it will be configured in a U-shape with 3 different elevations. A 4 story glass portico/lobby will allow light to filter into a landscaped interior courtyard. Also announced was a 250-unit condo designed by Cesar and Rafael Pelli for a site at the southern end of BPC. After the jump view a rendering of the Pelli design, and a view of 1 River Terrace from the courtyard. With its strict design guidelines and master plan, BPC has resulted in a crowd-pleasing cookie-cutter developer's paradise, while something of a disappointment to the design community. Our view? We would call the whole thing a missed opportunity. What's been built there has been competent and thoughtful, but almost none of it inspires us. We're glad the lots are running out and that the page can finally be turned. Our motto might be: no more landfill.
Above is the design for 200 Little West Street, a 250 unit condo designed by Cesar and Rafael Pelli.
Below is the courtyard view of 1 River Terrace, also called River House at Rockefeller Park..
