More than a decade after Hurricane Sandy devastated Manhattan's Upper West Side 79th Street Boat Basin and severely damaged its dock house, city officials have finally approved a replacement design that promises to restore this iconic waterfront facility. The Public Design Commission voted last month to give final approval to Architecture Research Office's innovative design for both the reconstruction of the boat basin and its striking new dock house. The project moves forward after three years of temporary closure and multiple delays that frustrated the boating community.
The centerpiece of the new development is a one-story building that will appear to float gracefully above the Hudson River, supported by nine strategically placed columns that elevate the structure above the dock level. The design incorporates chamfered corners specifically engineered to maximize scenic river views for visitors, while a reflective stainless steel facade will mirror the changing colors and moods of the surrounding water and sky throughout the day.
The 79th Street Boat Basin holds unique significance as Manhattan's only public marina and New York City's sole marina facility that accommodates year-round houseboat residents. Originally constructed within Riverside Park in 1937, the marina was part of Robert Moses's ambitious West Side Improvement Project, which also included the notable 79th Street Rotunda. Despite years of deterioration, the facility remained popular among boaters, with records showing a staggering 1,000-person waiting list spanning 15 years as of 2021.
Once considered a vibrant hub of maritime culture and home to an eccentric Upper West Side community, the boat basin has suffered significant decline over the past two decades. Multiple storms, particularly Hurricane Sandy, inflicted irreparable damage to the aging infrastructure. The situation became critical in 2021 when the city's Parks Department was forced to close the marina entirely, citing dangerous deterioration of the wooden dock framework and concrete foundation that posed safety risks to users.
In 2019, city officials unveiled an ambitious $90 million reconstruction plan designed to completely rebuild the deteriorating docks, implement climate-resilient infrastructure to withstand future storms, and expand capacity by adding additional boating berths. However, the project faced significant setbacks due to COVID-related delays, multiple design revisions, and community feedback that required substantial modifications to the original proposal.
Responding to earlier criticism from community members and stakeholders, Architecture Research Office significantly scaled back their design, reducing the building size by 40 percent from the original proposal. The final approved structure will encompass 3,800 square feet, making it larger than the previous facility but substantially smaller than initially planned. Adam Yarinsky, founding principal of Architecture Research Office, emphasized the collaborative nature of the process, stating that "the PDC's approval represents a significant milestone in the evolution of this project and our engagement with the community."
Yarinsky further explained the building's dual purpose, noting that "as both a working facility and a symbolic gateway to the harbor, the new dock house will honor the city's rich maritime heritage and connect people to the waterways that have shaped its identity." The architectural team drew inspiration from several iconic New York structures, including the 69th Street Transfer Bridge, the distinctive trusses of the George Washington Bridge, and nautical elements such as boat rigging and sails.
The innovative design features a square floor plan rotated 45 degrees to the shoreline, specifically positioned to maximize Hudson River views from the adjacent promenade. Diagonal structural columns create an eye-catching triangular pattern that adds visual interest while providing necessary support. Large windows throughout the structure will offer transparency, allowing natural light to flood the interior while providing clear sightlines both into and out of the building. The facility will be topped with an environmentally friendly green roof.
Inside the new dock house, practical amenities will serve both marina staff and the boating community. The facility will include dedicated locker rooms for boat basin employees, public bathrooms, and shower facilities for boaters. The reconstruction will also expand capacity with additional boat slips and improved access points specifically designed for kayakers, reflecting the growing popularity of recreational paddling on the Hudson River.
Construction of the new facility is expected to take approximately two years once work begins, with project completion potentially occurring by 2028, according to local reports. The extended timeline reflects the complex nature of waterfront construction and the need to build climate-resilient infrastructure that can withstand future extreme weather events and rising sea levels.
