The city council of St Petersburg, Florida, has signed off the demolition of a historic pier and approved ideas for its replacement – a hybrid pier and park developed by New York studio Rogers Partners.

Rogers Partners is functioning with New York landscape architect Ken Smith and neighborhood company ASD to replace St Petersburg Pier, which juts out from Florida’s west coast into Tampa Bay.

Pier Park ASD/Rogers Partners/Ken Smith

The pier has been rebuilt several occasions considering that it was very first finished in the 1880s. It at present features a straightforward roadway layout that terminates with a 1967 inverted-pyramid structure by architect William B Harvard, housing a restaurant and an observation deck.

The new design is intended to evoke Harvard’s pyramid even right after it has been demolished, although introducing a new landscape and website programme that the designers think will make the pier a 12 months-round destination for locals and visitors.

Pier Park ASD/Rogers Partners/Ken Smith

“You can’t depend on an icon alone. It is long and sizzling to stroll out there,” mentioned Rogers Partners principal Robert M Rogers. “The new pier is about going through the water and the city from a range of perspectives.”

The new Pier Park, which will be funded by the city, is created to accommodate massive crowds for particular occasions like concerts and walkers wanting to stroll along the waterfront.

Pier Park ASD/Rogers Partners/Ken Smith

Shade will be provided along the framework to improve visitor comfort in Florida’s sizzling climate.

The landscape contains a manmade “coastal thicket” made by Smith, which will run along a single side of the tree-shaded boardwalk for the majority of its length.

Pier Park ASD/Rogers Partners/Ken Smith

Beyond the thicket, a modest splash pool with wooden bleachers will let guests to dip their feet in the bay water. “Most of the day this will be in shade,” Rogers mentioned. “It’ll be a quite pleasant place to be.”


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Running parallel to the thicket, a paved track will accommodate cyclists, support autos and a tiny trolley, but not private automobiles. A pathway crossing under the thicket will bring walkers closer to the water and allow them to spot marine existence underneath the pier.

Pier Park ASD/Rogers Partners/Ken Smith

There will also be new creating at the end of the pier, containing a restaurant, a rental hall, an schooling centre, an a modest stage dealing with a lawn that can accommodate up to 4000 individuals.

The creating is rotated 45 degrees from the axis of the pier to offer you views back to the city and out to the bay, even though staying away from the direct glare of the sun.

Pier Park ASD/Rogers Partners/Ken Smith

The finish of the pier will also have launches for kayaks and paddle boats off floating docks, aiming to offer a a lot more intimate connection to the water than that at present exists on the elevated pier.

The half-mile-long pier will connect to another mile and a half of upland landmass that connects to more substantial waterfront district, which has several hotels and music venues.

Pier Park ASD/Rogers Partners/Ken Smith

“We’re fired up due to the fact the total waterfront is receiving a new master prepare,” Rogers stated. “Considerably of our operate will be creating positive that the pier ties into the complete waterfront expertise.”

Pier-Park-by-ASD-Rogers-Partners-Ken-Smith_dezeen_468_1 The existing St Petersburg Pier

The city council accepted \$5.2 million (£3.3 million) to comprehensive the design and style and demolish the existing pier. Rogers estimates the project will consider at least two many years to rebuild.

“The city is quite enthusiastic about this,” he said. “There’s a whole lot of momentum.”

Pier-Park-by-ASD-Rogers-Partners-Ken-Smith_dezeen_468_8 The present 1967 inverted-pyramid construction by William B Harvard

Rogers Partners is effectively-known for its work in public spaces, including its security perimeter about Wall Street in New York. The firm is currently functioning on a redesign of a portion of the National Mall in Washington, named Constitution Gardens.

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