Did you know New York City’s largest rooftop park–that’s completely free and open to the public–is located at Pier 57 in Hudson River Park in Chelsea?!
The park opened in April 2022 and was over 12 years in the making.
The rooftop park is nearly 2-acres with stunning panoramic views of Lower Manhattan and New York Harbor.
And, now that the weather is warming up, it makes for the perfect place to have a picnic, hangout with friends, or enjoy an unforgettable sunset.
In 2008, the Hudson River Park Trust put out an RFP (request for proposal) to renovate and redevelop the abandoned pier with a business partner. They were able to find that with both Google and RXR Realty.
The pier is mixed-use, meaning that it holds public and private spaces, but is not supported by any public funding. Instead, its maintenance and operations are paid for through the commercial use of its spaces, like in rent from its tenants.
In addition to the rooftop park, Pier 57 is also home to Google offices and a City Winery location..
The pier also boasts a 16,000-square-foot food hall helmed by the prestigious James Beard Foundation, which features 15 women- and BIPOC-owned food concepts alongside a modern showcase kitchen.
Pier 57 is rich in history, dating all the way back to 1952.
Since its renovation and reconstruction first began in 2013, they have taken care to “restore the building and adapt it for new uses while retaining its historic features.” It’s also on the National Register of Historic Places, so designs were always approved by the New York State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service.
You can learn more about Pier 57 rooftop park here.
📍 25 11th Avenue, New York