River Ring (development) explained

River Ring
Classification:Residential
Architect:BIG
Developer:Two Trees

River Ring is a mixed-use development planned for the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City. Two Trees, the project's developer, commissioned a design from BIG and James Corner Field Operations.

Development and history

Consolidated Edison previously occupied the three lots on which River Ring will rise, using them for purposes including oil storage.[1] [2] Two Trees, the project's developer, purchased the lots in 2019 for $150 million.[3] Two Trees first released public renderings of the project's structures in late 2019.[4] The project abuts the Domino Sugar Redevelopment, also a Two Trees development.[5] Part of the Domino project, Domino Park, was designed by James Corner Field Operations; the firm will also design the outdoor portions of River Ring.[6]

The project will have two towers, originally planned to top out at 600and respectively.[7] Revised plans for the two towers were released in early 2021, increasing the height of one tower to 710 feet and decreasing the other to 560 feet.[8] The project requires rezoning for construction to begin, as zoning currently mandates using the space for commercial or industrial purposes.[1] The project must also go through New York City's Uniform Land Use Review Procedure.[7] [3] An organization, Sustainable Williamsburg, has objected to the rezoning plans.[3] Two Trees anticipates completion by 2027.[9]

Before construction begins, the site will host a miniature golf course and a farm.[10] The golf course opened in July 2021.[11] The development went before the City Planning Commission on August 16, 2021.[12] Two Trees said it would sell the site to a logistics company if the development was not approved.[13] In December 2021, the plan for the development was approved.[14]

In June 2022, a property tax break known as 421a the development was going to utilize expired. Two Trees said that the new tax break, 485x, has requirements that are too strict to make the project financially feasible. The new requirements included much higher minimum wages for construction workers, new affordable housing requirements, and new income band caps. As of May 2024, the development has not started construction because of these reasons.[15]

Design and usage

The buildings will have approximately 1200 residential units,[8] as well as office space[16] and a YMCA.[17] In addition to the residential structures, the development will include a private park with a beach, designed to soak up floodwater, as the development will sit in a floodplain.[18]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Corcoran . Cate . Two Trees Plans Waterfront Park, May Seek Rezoning for Housing on Williamsburg Con Ed Site . May 6, 2021 . Browstoner . July 8, 2019.
  2. News: Baird-Remba . Rebecca . Two Trees’ 'River Ring' Towers Will Get First Public Hearing in April . May 5, 2021 . Commercial Observer . March 30, 2021.
  3. News: Anthony . Amelia . Imagine going to the beach … in Williamsburg . May 5, 2021 . Brooklyn Magazine . March 23, 2021.
  4. News: Londono . Vanessa . Two Trees Reveals BIG and Field Operations-Designed Towers and Beach Proposal for Williamsburg, Brooklyn . May 5, 2021 . New York YIMBY . December 15, 2019.
  5. News: Ricciulli . Valeria . Bjarke Ingels designs new master plan for Williamsburg waterfront development . May 5, 2021 . Curbed NY . December 12, 2019 . en.
  6. News: Velsey . Kim . River Ring, Two Trees’ Other Eye-Catching Project on the Williamsburg Waterfront . September 2, 2021 . Curbed . September 1, 2021 . en-us.
  7. News: Hilburg . Jonathan . Williamsburg’s cove-side towers are still moving, get a redesign . May 5, 2021 . The Architect’s Newspaper . March 18, 2021.
  8. News: Young . Michael . Updated Renderings Showcase River Ring, BIG's Two-Skyscraper Development in Williamsburg, Brooklyn . May 5, 2021 . New York YIMBY . March 27, 2021.
  9. News: Pham . Diane . BIG shares new renderings and diagrams of the River Ring Master Plan for Williamsburg . May 5, 2021 . Urbanize NYC . March 22, 2021 . en.
  10. News: Sustainable farm, mini golf to open this summer on waterfront . May 5, 2021 . Brooklyn Eagle . April 7, 2021.
  11. News: Weaver . Shaye . Get a first glimpse at Brooklyn’s new waterfront mini-golf course . July 12, 2021 . Time Out New York . July 12, 2021.
  12. News: Bockmann . Rich . Two Trees Moving Forward with River Ring ULURP . August 16, 2021 . The Real Deal New York . August 13, 2021.
  13. News: Bockmann . Rich . Two Trees Threatens To Sell Williamsburg Site . September 3, 2021 . The Real Deal New York . June 4, 2021.
  14. News: Hilburg . Jonathan . With City Council approval, BIG’s River Ring is set for Williamsburg . August 17, 2023 . The Architect’s Newspaper . December 20, 2021.
  15. Web site: Brenzel . Kathryn . 2024-05-06 . Two Trees concerned 485x won’t work at River Ring . 2024-08-07 . The Real Deal . en.
  16. News: Duggan . Kevin . Two for two: Developer Two Trees relaunches project for pair of skyscrapers, beach at W’Burg waterfront . May 5, 2021 . Brooklyn Paper . March 17, 2021.
  17. News: Young . Michael . Preparations Underway for BIG's Two-Skyscraper Development along Williamsburg's Waterfront . May 5, 2021 . New York YIMBY . February 17, 2020.
  18. News: Blackmore . Willy . Towers in a Flood Zone? Two Trees Just Wants You To Look At The Wetland Up Front . May 5, 2021 . Curbed . April 28, 2021 . en-us.

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