SCHAEFER ESPLANADE

This project included the transformation of New York City’s longest operating brewery into a 38,200 SF public open space on the East River, providing waterfront access through an upland connection from Kent Avenue near South 8th Street. The 325-linear-foot esplanade features a waterfront overlook, custom-designed site furniture and arbor, multi-layered plantings, decorative screens, and an attractive bulkhead railing. ABB created a bi-level esplanade to add spatial definition and manage soil remediation challenges. This allows the linear space to function successfully as an independent open space while also providing a contiguous waterfront esplanade as adjacent residential buildings were developed. The upper-level overlook patio takes advantage of views across the East River, while the lower-level includes a continuous custom-wood and stainless-steel bench integrated into a low site wall.

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image credit: ABB + Derrick Barreiro