Building of the Day:The Battery

After 22 years, the redesign of the Battery, one of the city’s most historic and dramatic public spaces, will be complete by October. Quennell Rothschild and Partners was part of the team leading the transformation from a worn, formal Moses-era park into a world-class destination. The Battery Conservancy and the New York City Parks Department are the clients.

The Battery Green, a two-acre oval lawn shaded by mature trees, will open on June 24, and will accommodate up to 10,000 people. Also to be completed by Archtober is the Monument Walk. Previously scattered haphazardly around the park, ten of the 23 have now been restored and moved to positions of dignified prominence along the perimeter Monument Walk. The pastoral bikeway, a missing link in Manhattan’s greenway, is flanked with colorful plantings by Piet Oudolf; cyclists also

benefit from a shady café and upgraded comfort station. Sustainable features include the replacement of mown lawn in the Woodland with native grasses; the reduction of impervious areas; and new paths that minimize risk to the 250 old trees. Along with existing attractions like the urban farm and the lush Bosque Gardens, visitors now have even more ways of enjoying the breathtaking harbor views.

Architect: Quennell Rothschild & Partners

Tour Guide: Beth Franz, RLA, Senior Associate, Quennell Rothschild & Partners