Hudson River Park Trust

The Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT) and The Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation announced plans to build “Pier55” – a public park and performance space on Manhattan’s lower west side.

The project will replace the deteriorated Pier 54 and be funded primarily by the Diller –von Furstenberg family, which has established a new nonprofit, Pier55, Inc. (P55). P55 will build and operate the pier in cooperation with HRPT. Construction of the 2.7-acre pier is expected to commence in 2016 at a cost in excess of $130 million, to which the City of New York will contribute $17 million. Separately, New York State will provide $18 million for the construction of an expanded public esplanade that will run from Bloomfield Street to 14th Street.

Under a 20-year lease, P55 will fund the programming, operations and day-to-day maintenance of the pier, including landscape, lighting and other park amenities. P55 will oversee all of the pier’s programming while HRPT will maintain the park as it does all of the public piers in Hudson River Park. Pier55 will be open the same hours as the rest of Hudson River Park, and, through the lease, P55 is committed to providing maximum public access, including during most performances.

“New York City’s waterfront provides tremendous opportunities for everything from tourism to outdoor recreation, and Pier55 is the perfect example of how we can tap into that resource to build a more enjoyable city for all,” said Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. “Building this new pier will greatly improve the Hudson River Parkland, and I thank the Diller – von Furstenberg family for their generosity and vision in the pursuit of a better New York.”

Hudson River Park Trust

“Hudson River Park has become a destination for millions of New Yorkers from across all five boroughs,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The revitalization and transformation of this pier into a vibrant arts and community space will bring new energy and new visitors to our waterfront. We are deeply appreciative of the generosity of great New Yorkers like Mr. Diller and Ms. von Furstenberg without whom this visionary project would not have been possible.”

Hudson River Park Trust

HRPT is governed by the Hudson River Park Act and operates on a premise of financial self-sufficiency; it receives no public funding for its operations. The partnership announced today will allow HRPT to focus its funds and fundraising efforts on the rest of the four-mile park, which attracts more than 17 million visits a year. The new pier will be will be constructed between the pile fields of Pier 54 and Pier 56, which will remain in order to provide a fish habitat

“Pier55 will provide New Yorkers and visitors to Hudson River Park with a gorgeous park worthy of our city’s grand tradition of iconic public spaces,” said Diana Taylor, Chair of the Hudson River Park Trust. “We are thrilled to partner with two great New Yorkers like Barry and Diane, whose vision and generosity will enhance the city for generations to come.”

“This distinctly New York partnership brings together the kind of creativity, bold long-term thinking and funding commitment that are essential for such a world-class venture, and moves us closer to fulfilling our mission as a self-sustaining park,” said Madelyn Wils, President and CEO of the Hudson River Park Trust. “The Diller – von Furstenberg family’s support and dedication, and our partnership with the City and State, make this project both transformative and sustainable – we couldn’t be more excited to be moving forward together.”  

"The new Pier55 will add to the amenities of Hudson River Park in particular and Manhattan at large," said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. "I'm glad that a partnership has been created between the Hudson River Park Trust and the Diller – von Furstenberg Foundation to make it happen and guarantee that it's open to all."

“Whenever we add new parkland where none previously existed, it’s a permanent boon for our community,” said David Gruber, Chair of Community Board 2. “In this case, combining cultural programming with beautiful public open space will ensure that Pier55, like the rest of Hudson River Park, is a gift the whole city can enjoy. It is now going to go through a public review process so that the community can fully see the whole plan and have input into the project.”

Hudson River Park Trust

P55 and HRPT have enlisted some of the finest architectural and artistic talent in the world to design Pier55, including design firm Heatherwick Studio and landscape architect Mathews Nielsen. The pier will be a place of discovery, where visitors can wander and wonder, finding something new around every corner: places to lounge, eat lunch, or just lie in the grass. The park’s undulating topography – replete with lush lawns and pathways – will offer sweeping views of the Manhattan and northern New Jersey skylines for all park-goers and provide a natural viewing area for the new performance space, which will be designed to immediately serve as one of New York City’s premier venues for music, dance, theater and public art, along with community events. The majority of Pier55’s programming will be free and low cost, with prices set in accordance with nonprofit programming in New York City.