An Amphitheater for Coney Island?
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…
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]
10:26:
We tried, but lost out to Grimshaw…(Polshek Partnership).
We would have loved to have gotten that job…..
I don’t know, looks like the free concerts will be over and the paying venues will take their place. Also, it looks like the open park space, given over on the weekends to sunrise to sunset soccer games by Russian and Latin guys will be finished. Looks like more privatization of public space to me.
Marty and other public officials have been sponsoring free concerts at this location for over twenty years. While most of the shows draw huge crowds of senior citizens, hipper bands like the B-52s have been know to make an appearance. A band shell in Coney Island is a great idea – too bad they can’t build it right on the beach!
Couldn’t an American architect be found to do the job?
The borough president has allocated almost $25 million for this project. Obviously, this won’t be completed while he is in office. Has he stated for the record that he will not be continuing his concert series here after he steps down, therefore eliminating any suspicions that he is spending taxpayer money to benefit himself?
They should build a floating amphitheater- they would get more mileage out of it.
Gabby ! Will you marry me? Or at the very least be my valentine ?