Long Island City

Apartment Units: 900

Project Architect: George Kewin

River East is a 1.2 million square foot mixed use complex that will rise from the ground-up on the riverfront of Long Island City. PPA was charged as Architect and has obtained building permits. In collaboration with Walker Group, the team prepared the master planning and architectural design for the six-acre, high visibility location. The solution is a contemporary design that brings a new level of sophistication to this burgeoning waterfront neighborhood.

River East features two 28-story glass condominium towers and four eight-story buildings. The low-rise buildings contain 14 townhouses and lofts, and 20,000 square feet of retail space. Additionally, there are 2-acres of open space, underground parking and a full public waterfront esplanade designed by noted landscape architect, Ken Smith.

The glass and stone towers are situated near the waterfront and their massing evokes some of Manhattan’s grand apartment buildings. One of the signature elements of the towers is cutaways at the corners that create balconies and terraces that capture the spectacular riverfront views. Additionally, the townhouses with stoops and private gardens were designed to harmonize with the enclave of landmark townhouses on the neighboring blocks.

Three “ivy billboards” designed by Ken Smith create a vertical landscape evoking the more prosaic billboards for which Long Island City is known.

Both the indoor and outdoor public spaces of River East set new standards for New York City amenities. The generous outdoor dining, relaxation, poolside and recreation spaces all overlook the park and river. The largest outdoor area, situated on one of the low-rise roofs includes a tennis court, volleyball court, miniature golf and private gardens. A 10,000 square foot gym with indoor and outdoor pools, a café and a 200-person dining facility roundout River East’s superior amenities.

Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Square Feet: 98,286
Apartment Units: 440

Project Architect: Peter Poon

Java Street development is located at the Greenpoint waterfront, close to ferry landings and subway stations.  The design aims to create view corridors into and through the green open spaces of the site by establishing lower density lower height buildings at the southerly and eastern portion of the site,  and to stack vertical green spaces in a tower at the northwestern edge of the site stepped back from the greenway along the shore.  Parking structure is located above ground, forming the innards of a raised courtyard and base of landscaped roofs.  Residential units of 3 to 8-stories in height along the north-south street and easterly part of the site relate to the lower building heights of the neighborhood.  The proposed building facades will be a mixture of masonry and glass.