Staten Island’s Lighthouse Point Project
Many New Yorkers know the “Core Four” as former New York Yankees baseball players Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, and Mariano Rivera. The same moniker has also been coined by Staten Island Borough President James Oddo to describe the four major developments on the North Shore of Staten Island: URL Building, Empire Outlet Mall, New York Wheel & Lighthouse Point. The four projects’ private investment will total nearly two billion dollars.
Here’s a little more information about each of these “core four” projects:
URBY Staten Island
The only project of the core four that is located in Stapleton at 455 Front Street , one mile from St George where the other three are located is slated to open in September of this year. The new 900 unit rental housing development will have 30,000 square feet of 1st floor retail along with a public esplanade. Other highlights include open space to include walking paths, lawns, landscaped areas and a new public launch site will allow nonmotorized boats to access the river and docking for historic vessels. In continuing Ironstate’s commitment to responsible development and greening technologies, the development will participate in the new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) certification program administered by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Empire Outlets
Located steps from the Staten Island Ferry, Empire Outlets, developed by BFC Partners, will be a 340,000 square foot retail complex, comprised of approximately 100 designer outlet retailers, along with a gourmet dining destination with a variety of restaurants and cafes. Among the national brands joining Empire Outlets include Nordstrom Rack, H&M, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store, White House Black Market, Guess Factory Store, U.S. Polo Assn., Columbia Sportswear Company, Innovation Luggage, Wilsons Leather, G.H. Bass & Co., Lids, Obey Your Body, Starbucks, Walgreens, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Haagen Dazs, Krispy Kreme, Nathan’s Famous and Applebee’s.
Plans also include a 190-room hotel that will provide extraordinary views of the Manhattan skyline. BFC Partners will also build a 1,250-space structured parking garage below the retail and hotel components to accommodate commuters and visitors. Construction is expected to be completed in 2016. Designed by SHoP Architects, Empire Outlets will feature expansive open corridors and pedestrian walkways to the water, contemporary materials reflective of the industrial waterfront, and a sweeping sustainable green roof visible from the Harbor. Celebratory vertical circulation elements such as grand staircases, glass elevators, and streamlined escalators will guide shoppers as they move from the waterfront up to Richmond Terrace, creating a dynamic and easily navigated pedestrian experience.
The New York Wheel
Located adjacent to the Empire Outlets separated by Richmond County Bank Ballpark, official home of Staten Island Yankee Stadium will be the New York Wheel. Ground breaking is planned in the coming months. The New York Wheel, when complete will be the largest observation wheel in the Western Hemisphere standing 630 feet tall. The Wheel is expected to welcome as many as 30,000 riders per day during peak season and an estimated 4.5 million visitors per year. In addition to the wheel, open space and access to Richmond Terrace is incorporated into the 8 acre development. The Wheel Terminal Building adjacent to the Wheel, will house educational and digitized exhibitions on New York City history and alternative energy. Both buildings will be green and will strive for Platinum LEED certification, which is an admirable level of “green” and “sustainable” building today.
Lighthouse Point
A unique mixed-use waterfront development at the base of the Staten Island Ferry. The project includes retails shops, restaurants, a 164 room hotel and approximately 96 residential units housed in historic buildings along a waterfront esplanade.
Ettore grew up working in the restaurant & catering business from the age of 12. He graduated from the College of Staten Island with a Bachelors’s in Mathematics & Finance in 1985. In 1986 he started Chez Vous caterers from the basement of his home in Dongan Hills and caters parties at homes and businesses in the tri-state area. In Oct 1987 he rented the first floor of Edgewater Hall at 691 Bay Street. A few years later he added the party rental division to Chez Vous. In 1998 he purchased Edgewater Hall and renovated the first and second floors making them party spaces. Shortly thereafter he purchased from his tenant the cellar bar creating Dock Street Underground a live music venue. His creative projects include his CD Sweet on You, his book, It’s Your Right to be Fit, Sexed, and Happy, So Claim It, and he is developing a TV series called Business Underground. His record labels Hanz On Music and Dock Street Records has produced Method Man’s “The Meth Lab.” and produces 2nd Generation Wu projects.
