Waterside Plaza
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Waterside Plaza was a Mitchell-Lama Housing Program funded rental apartment complex constructed in 1974 and located in the Kips Bay section of Manhattan, New York City.
[edit] Overview
The apartment buildings that make up Waterside (as well as the neighboring United Nations International School) were constructed on top of piers above the East River.
The complex is made up for four residential towers as well as a row of duplex townhouses, clad in red brickwork, that encompass a large plaza overlooking the East River. There are 1400 residential units along with a health club (open to non-residents), supermarket, restaurant, dry cleaners, Creative Dream Parties, and parking garage.
Waterside is accessible to vehicles only by entering from 23rd Street. Cars and trucks leaving Waterside can do so through 23rd Street or driving along a service road to 34th Street. A footbridge at East 25th street allows safe passage across the FDR Drive. Waterside is also the last stop on the M16 bus.
Waterside is notable as the only residential complex currently located east of the FDR Drive. The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway passes between the two.
In 2007 a controversial key-card access system was implemented, to the chagrin of a very vocal group of tenants that virulently opposed it. Residents are now required to register guests who stay longer than one night with management, and forbidden to "buzz" from the "A" or "street" level in order to gain access to their building. Instances have already arisen in which a resident has wished to gain access, yet told to walk around to the upper lobby level because the doorman is strictly forbidden from "buzzing" them in. This has occurred even in instances where the doorman and resident knew each other, bringing the purpose of the doorman into question.
[edit] Architectural Significance
Waterside Plaza was designed by the architecture firm of Davis, Brody & Associates. In 2001, New York Times architectural critic Herbert Muschamp described Waterside as a "great urban composition" that is "picturesque and historically informed."
In 2004, the Municipal Art Society placed Waterside on its "30 Under 30", a watch list of future landmarks.
[edit] External links
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