The English architecture firm Grimshaw, whose work has become ubiquitous in the city because of the new Cemusa bus shelters, has been chosen to design an amphitheater in Coney Island. Gowanus Lounge broke the news last week after Marty Markowitz announced it during his State of the Borough address. Markowitz says it will be a state-of-the-art recreational facility and performing arts venue at the gateway to Coney Island—Asser Levy-Seaside Park—which will attract top entertainers who play the summer concert circuit at Jones Beach, Radio City Music Hall, and the PNC Arts Center in New Jersey. The design above is the only rendering for the project we were able to find, and GL notes that the idea is controversial with locals: There has been community opposition to the noise such a facility would create, as it is surrounded by apartment buildings. Grimshaw has also been chosen to helm the redesign of the Queens Museum and is the architect for the new Fulton Street transit hub in Manhattan. As with all grand plans for Coney Island, it’s hard to know how grounded in reality this project is.
Grimshaw to Design “Coney Island Center” [GL] GMAP
State of the Borough Full Text [NY Observer]