Location: New York City, New York, United States
Developer: Howard Hughes Corporation
Designer: SHoP Architects
Site Size: 8.6 acres (3.5 ha)

Located in New York City’s Historic Seaport District, Pier 17 is a one-of-a-kind mixed-use building designed to act as an extension of the city’s grid. A large pedestrian thoroughfare extends through the first two floors of the site, which are split into six buildings to form “Pier Village.” There are large glass panel doors that can be lowered to protect the inner space from the elements when necessary, while maintaining magnificent views of the waterfront.

Pier 17 was designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standards and was built using marine-grade materials. The pier itself was rebuilt, instead of merely building on top of the old pier, to ensure that it will last long into the future. A programmable glass facade, the “Lightband,” wraps the third and fourth floors of Pier 17, turning the building itself into a work of art. The truly unique feature of Pier 17, though, is its rooftop performance and concert venue. The directional sound design of the concert venue allows for an intimate outdoor performance setting with high sound quality for concertgoers without disturbing nearby residents.

The venue hosts events like free fitness classes, movie screenings, and a summer concert series, which drew 60,000 visitors last summer. Pier 17 also partners with local organizations and schools by hosting events like the New York Police Department’s National Night Out and Taste of the Seaport. Part of the roof is open to the public, allowing everyone to experience its views. These amenities have made Pier 17 a centralized gathering place for the community. The development team worked extensively with the community and advocacy groups, as well as with the New York City and state governments to navigate community interest as well as the regulations around historic districts.