Oxford Properties Group has unveiled their plans for the redevelopment of St. John’s Terminal by the Hudson River waterfront in Manhattan.
The historic property at 550 Washington Street will be transformed into 1.3 million s/f of commercial office space, according to Oxford. The 12-story building, which will take up two city blocks starting from the corner of West Street, will include 100,000 s/f work place floorplates. COOKFOX Architects is in charge of the design that will be using three floors of the existing structure that was originally used as a freight terminal and distribution hub for the High Line. The new project will feature the original building’s railbeds as a central part of its design and also connect the property to the waterfront.
“St. John’s Terminal once formed the end of The High Line and our design will preserve the history and authenticity of this important piece of rail infrastructure that once connected the world to New York City,” Rick Cook, founding partner at COOKFOX, said. “By opening the site with the removal of the overpass and incorporating the rail beds, we’re connecting the building with the neighborhood, and at the same time creating a workplace that is connected with nature.”
The design of 550 Washington will also feature a biophilic design that includes a greenscaped rooftop and a terrace with views of the Hudson River.
“We felt a tremendous responsibility to re-imagine St. John’s Terminal in an authentic yet modern way,” said Dean Shapiro, head of US Developments at Oxford Properties. “Its unique form allows us to create workspaces that reduce the friction of expansion and change over time, so tenants can focus on productivity.”
