While the Hudson Yards Master Plan is no doubt a marvel in engineering, and a game-changer for urban planning, you’re probably sick of hearing about it. New York has dozens of transformational projects dotted all across the city, but many of these don’t quite get the exposure they deserve. So, in an effort to shift the spotlight, here are 5 major master plan developments that are either proposed or under construction in the Big Apple right now:

River Ring

Developer: Two Trees Management Company

Architect: Bjarke Ingels Group

Landscape Architect: James Corner Field Operations

River Ring is a groundbreaking waterfront development, proposed for Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This project would see the construction of over 1000 residential units split between two towers. More notably, it would create a 6-acre waterfront park that reaches into the East River. Plans include two separate beaches, multiple nature trails, open green space, tidal pool areas, and an outdoor tidal classroom. There would also be a boardwalk with a ring-shaped bridge that serves to link most of the park’s amenities together.

In addition to providing housing and unique leisure activities, River Ring will also provide a practical function for the local community. Its nature trails will double as breakwaters and are designed to protect over 500 inland properties from storm surge flooding.

Willets Point Redevelopment

Developer: Queens Development Group (JV between The Related Companies and Sterling Equities)

The redevelopment of Willets Point is an approved plan to transform Queen’s underdeveloped commercial zone into a vibrant residential neighborhood. Having been occupied mainly by automotive repair businesses over the last several decades, the 62-acre site accrued heavy environmental contamination and is currently undergoing remediation. Once the land is restored, the first phase of construction will begin.

In the first phase alone, 6 acres of land will be redeveloped, and 3 new residential buildings will be built, containing 1,100 affordable housing units (including 220 for low-income seniors). Phase one will also involve the construction of a 650-seat public school, 300 parking spaces, and 1.2 acres of open public space.

Innovation QNS

Developer: BedRock Real Estate Partners and Silverstein Properties

Architect: ODA Architecture

Innovation QNS is a proposed mixed-use development that would expand the Kaufman Arts District in Astoria, Queens. This project is a major undertaking that would see the construction of 12 new buildings and the complete redevelopment of a 5-block area, bounded by 35th Avenue, 43rd Street, Northern Boulevard, 36th Avenue, and 37th Street. 

If built, Innovation QNS would provide over 2,800 units of mixed-income housing, 200,000 square feet of retail space, and a further 250,000 square feet of office space. There would be 2-acres of open public space, a full-service grocery store, and community health and wellness facilities. An arts and culture hub and a multiplex cinema are also in the cards.

Kingsboro Psychiatric Center Redevelopment

Developer: Douglaston Development

Architect: David Adjaye Associates

Brooklyn’s Kingsboro Psychiatric Center is a mental hospital that once had over 2,700 beds during its peak. While still operational, a 7.2-acre portion of the campus in East Flatbush has recently been approved for redevelopment. The $400 million plan will create 900 housing units and public outdoor space on 300,000 sqft. of land.

Housing will include affordable, supportive, and senior living units. In addition, the development will include two homeless shelters, recreational areas, community facilities, and retail space. The project is part of New York State’s Vital Brooklyn plan; an initiative that aims to improve housing and healthcare in Brooklyn’s lower-income neighborhoods.

Domino Sugar Factory Redevelopment

Developer: Two Trees Management Company

Architect: SHoP Architects

Landscape Architect: James Corner Field Operations

The ongoing office conversion of Domino’s historic Brooklyn sugar refinery is just one piece of the monumental redevelopment project currently underway in Williamsburg. The 11-acre Domino Sugar Factory redevelopment plan calls for 5 new buildings, and a quarter-mile of waterfront park space, stretching 5-blocks.

In total, the project will add 2,300 residential units to the neighborhood, 500,000 square feet of commercial space, and a new public school. The developed buildings will contain a total of 3 million square feet of real estate. Another fact to note is that the waterfront park will incorporate over 30 pieces of salvaged factory machinery into its design.

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