Proposal for Southtown
Roosevelt Island, New York
Client: Alternative Southtown Design Committee
Site: 2,140,000 S.F. / 19.3 acres

The plan celebrates the Island qualities of the site. A single street connects the south end of the existing Main Street to the tram terminal near the Queensborough Bridge by way of the new subway station. Buildings are grouped along this spine rising from six stories at the street level to 21 story towers, the maximum height of existing buildings. Both buildings and street conform to New York City ordinances. Vehicular traffic is restrained in favor of a shuttle system of mini-buses.

Conceptually, our plan emphasizes the linearity and continuity of Roosevelt Island by integrating the residential and commercial activities of the existing and new along a continuous Main Street. In addition to socio-economic benefits, the spinal concept yields several advantages: a compact footprint preserves open space and the island qualities of the site; it provides non-formalistic and flexible development which can be phased as the market dictates; and a compact and efficient infrastructure reduces up-front costs making this unusual project feasible.