The news keeps trickling out about the redevelopment of the South Street Seaport, now that the Howard Hughes Corp. has spun off from the no-longer-bankrupt General Growth Properties. The new company, led by wily Bill Ackman, was created pretty much for the explicit purpose of redeveloping a number of nascent mixed-use projects General Growth began before the company nearly collapsed after the real estate bubble popped.
In the fall, The Observer heard that SHoP Architects was still eager to work on the seaport, and last month one of the firm’s principals revealed that plans were actually underway, though also underwraps, as Howard Hughes felt out political and community leders on what would be best for the seaport, much of which is landmarked.
Now, Howard Hughes has discussed the project publically for the first time–sort of.
Downtown Express caught up with Grant Herlitz, HH’s new president, and while he would not get into specifics, he did reveal a few new details about the company’s plans for the seaport.
Herlitz would not confirm or specify any aspect of the design plans, though he said that the corporation plans to engage in “thought-provoking” discussions with the city and local organizations to “come up with the most vibrant plan for the South Street Seaport that’ll garner support and be an exciting new redevelopment [project] for the city.” The pier, he added, would continue to serve as an “integral” part of Lower Manhattan.
Consider our thoughts provoked!
