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Related, Sterling Equities and New York City Football Club (NYCFC) met with Community Board 7 on May 10th to unveil new set of renderings at their quarterly meeting that outline early proposed visualizations for the Willets Point Revitalization Plan. The project is set to deliver the largest 100% affordable housing development in 40 years and New York City’s first-ever 25,000-seat soccer-specific stadium.
This builds on Mayor Adams’ November announcement unveiling a new vision for Willets Point backed by broad support from local elected officials, union leaders, business community members, and more. The proposal is set to enter ULURP for additional community input later this year.
Queens Development Group’s (QDG) – the Related and Sterling Equities joint-venture – proposed plans to deliver 2,500 units of 100% affordable housing anchor a larger neighborhood that will be constructed with pedestrian-friendly, 21st-century urban planning principles. The renderings show active open common areas, providing ample space for sitting, food carts, greenery, exercise, and other recreational uses for the community. Between buildings, residents and visitors will have access to pedestrianized community thoroughfares allowing for family-friendly amenities, including small business retail and passive recreation. Additionally, the housing will be centered around a safe, pedestrian-friendly main street populated by additional local retail and other small businesses. The neighborhood will also include over 40,000 square feet of public open space, a 650-seat school, a 250-key hotel, and ground-floor retail shops.
The latest renderings include NYCFC’s $780 million, privately financed, 25,000-seat soccer-specific stadium designed by HOK. The stadium will provide a long-overdue home for the 2021 MLS champions and 2022 Campeones Cup victors and build on over a decade of investment in local communities across the City. It will also provide a permanent home for the Club’s award-winning foundation, City in the Community (CITC). It has built 50 community pitches, served 30,000 NYC youth, and established a strong presence in all five boroughs.
The presentation to the Community Board 7 gives the first look to the local community and others about the Club’s vision to build a stadium that is integrated in the local community to be a resource on non-match days. The new renderings further contextualize the stadium’s five core design principles: creating the best live fan experience in NYC, authentically representing our city, embedding the stadium into the community, building a “future forward” stadium, and modeling sustainability.
“From the beginning, New York City Football Club has understood the importance of strong communication and collaboration with Mayor Adams, Councilmember Francisco Moya, Borough President Richards, and the local Queens community as we move forward with plans for a privately financed soccer-specific stadium,” said Marty Edelman, Vice Chairman, New York City Football Club. “This continued investment in New York City will create a long-overdue home for our First Team, and create a new neighborhood for Queens.”
“The design of NYCFC’s new stadium celebrates diversity, community and the love of the sport, creating a hospitality-driven experience unique to its location in Queens, the world’s borough,” said Rashed Singaby, principal and senior project designer at HOK. “Our design team has created a sustainable, technology-driven experience and integrated the stadium into the context of a future district. Our goal is to establish a connected urban amenity for the community and an unprecedented live event experience. We’re looking forward to the stadium becoming a centerpiece for the vibrant Queens community.”
New renderings unveil the stadium’s iconic, activated cube entranceway that will serve as a warm, experiential welcome to fans and community members alike. On match days, the cube will be illuminated with vibrant imagery inspiring a dynamic experience from the moment you approach NYCFC’s new home.
The newly released images also include a headquarters for foundation of NYCFC , City in the Community (CITC), and its award-winning work– striving towards the goal of activating this space on both match and non-match days. Ultimately, NYCFC envisions the stadium being inclusive and available to all as the organization continues to bring free soccer programming to youth throughout the five boroughs.
Following the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) approval process, construction on the $780 million project aims to be completed for the Club to play in its new stadium for the 2027 MLS Season.
Queens Development Group will oversee the stadium and district’s development. The entire project will enter the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) approval process later this year and will be reviewed by the New York City Public Design Commission. NYCFC will work to finalize the stadium design to align with entering the ULURP approval process later this year.
Source: HOK
