The largest undeveloped plot of land in Manhattan, once transformed, will create acres of additional green space by the East River and become a dynamic and thriving community asset.
Once an industrial area of slaughterhouses, coal yards, and freight depots, this site became home to New York Edison’s Waterside Station in 1901. Despite numerous technological upgrades over decades, the plant caused significant environmental damage to the enclave.
In 1945, the aftermath of World War II brought the formation of the United Nations. With it came the need for a headquarters, and somewhere to build it. John Rockefeller Jr. purchased the east side parcel of land from real estate developer Wallace Zeckendorf, and donated it to the United Nations. A subsequent competition named two board members, Oscar Niemeyer and Le Corbusier, as designers of the project. The rise of the United Nations proved to be a turning point for the east side area.
The Beaux Arts-style power plant was decommissioned in 2005 by the now re-named Consolidated Edison. After a sale to the Soloviev Group in 2007, the structure was demolished, creating the vacant lot that remains today. A century of industrial use left the site significantly contaminated and the EPA identified it as a Brownfield, or a property compromised by presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. In response, the Soloviev Group spent nearly $100 million cleansing the land of toxic materials.
In the wake of the significant damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, New York City establishes climate resiliency and the protection of coastal sites from storm surge and future flooding events as a priority.
With waterfront property recognized as one of the city’s greatest assets, a focus on creating a continuous and accessible waterfront park is renewed. The site is one of the few remaining sizable and undeveloped plots of land in Manhattan.
A partnership of best-in-class industry leaders join forces to develop a welcoming and revitalized riverside destination where recreation, culture and community provide an extraordinary experience for every visitor.
Our vision is a dynamic space where entertainment, cultural richness, and communal bonds intertwine to encourage an urban integrated resort unlike any other.
4.77
Acres of Public Park with Multiple Amenities
1325
New Apartments
513
PermanentlyAffordable Units
56K
Square Feet of Meeting and Conference Space
280K
Square Foot Gaming Area
30
Total of Restaurants, Bars & Lounges
1251
Hotel Guest Rooms
36K
Square Foot Wellness and Spa Center
1517
Parking Spaces /20% with EV Charges
1450
Square FeetArt Gallery
2
Pools: Roof Deck Infinity Pool and Indoor Pool
14K
Square Foot Multi-Story Food Hall
Bjarke Ingels, Founder & Creative Director, BIG:
“When Le Corbusier, Niemeyer and Harrison designed the UN Secretariat Building, they grafted an oasis of international modernism onto the dense urban grid of Manhattan, creating a park on the river framed by towers and pavilions. Due to the nature of the work of the UN, access to that park - although open to all nations - remains necessarily restricted, for good reasons.
With our design for Freedom Plaza, we continue to build on these architectural principles by uniting three city blocks to form a public green space reaching from 1st Avenue to the East River overlook, creating a green connection all the way to the water’s edge.
Bookending the park are two pairs of towers, joined at base or top
and each framing a corner plaza: one showcasing the life of the
city and the other forming an urban gate from the city to the
upper park and East River beyond. Balanced on a perch overlooking
the river, the Museum of Freedom and Democracy neighbors the
towers and celebrates the origin and evolution of one of the most
impactful inventions of mankind and our continuous struggle to
build, maintain and protect the institutions that uphold it.
We are incredibly honored and thrilled to be part of the team that
can envision a new major public space in this great city, to contribute
to the iconic skyline of Manhattan’s riverfront, and to imagine the
architecture of the museum celebrating one of mankind’s greatest inventions:
Democracy.”
Unwavering in its commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility, the Soloviev Group brings four generations of successful development across community-focused verticals, including hospitality, commercial and residential development, agriculture, energy, logistics and philanthropy. Freedom Plaza is a property that the company looks forward to cultivating as a mixed-use development in its wonderful neighborhood on Manhattan's East Side. For more information, visit solovievgroup.com
In the dazzling landscape of entertainment and gaming, Mohegan stands as a true icon, setting the standard for unparalleled experiences and unmatched excellence. With over two decades of experience creating singular entertainment destinations, Mohegan knows how to build customer experiences like no other.
Banyan Tree is a globally recognized luxury brand with over 40 years of operating experience around the world. With Banyan Tree’s operational background that is well established in urban gateway city hotels globally, the brand is also recognized internationally as a global leader in spa and wellbeing experiences. Banyan Tree’s strategic alliance with Accor allows for additional strength in distribution through the Accor ALL loyalty program and property awareness. Accor currently has only two other properties in New York City - The Plaza Hotel and the Sofitel New York.
An expansive riverside space with dynamic public amenities, world-class cuisine, shopping opportunities, and enriching culture and entertainment creates a vibrant and flourishing environment for the community.
Press inquiries:
media@freedomplaza.nyc
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Support Freedom Plaza: An Inclusive and Vibrant Vision for the Future of Manhattan's East Side and NYC
Freedom Plaza promises to be a transformative development, combining community-focused planning with environmental sustainability and inclusive economic growth. I urge you to support this project, which will create a more livable East Side.
Dear Lawmaker,
I am writing to express my support for Freedom Plaza. This plan, proposed by community focused partners Soloviev Group and Mohegan, stands out for its strong commitment to sustainable development, and significant contributions to our local area.
The Soloviev Group and Mohegan, both family-owned and community-focused, are proposing a project that will bring new affordable housing, additional public green spaces and new benefits to this neighborhood and New York City as a whole. Both partners are family-owned, with local and regional roots, and have a proven record of caring for local communities. Indeed, four generations of the Soloviev family reside in the neighborhood, underscoring their deep local ties.
Freedom Plaza will bring urgently needed new & affordable housing, expansive publicly accessible open space, far-reaching economic development, and significant community investment in the public good that will have positive local and citywide impacts.
Key Benefits of Freedom Plaza:
With its promise of impactful investment and a design that reflects the life of its community, Freedom Plaza is the model of a forward-looking vision & inclusive economic growth for New York City. I urge you to support this plan which will provide lasting benefits to our community.
Thank you for your consideration,
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