New York — The 350,000-square-foot center is known as Harbor Commons.
New York — Staten Island’s waterfront will be transformed into New York City’s first and only outlet center. BFC Partners will construct the 350,000-square-foot center known as Harbor Commons at an estimated cost of $230 million.
The development will include approximately 100 designer outlets, a 200-room hotel and a 1,250-space parking garage. Harbor Commons will be located south of the Richmond County Savings Bank Ballpark, just steps away from the St. George Ferry Terminal.
“Harbor Commons will be the first outlet center in New York City that offers the retail sector a singular and unique opportunity to expand its brand presence in the most vibrant retail market in the county,” says Donald Capoccia, managing principal and founder of BFC Partners. “We are extremely proud to be leading this development and building what will become one of NYC’s most transformative projects.”
Casandra Properties, along with EWB Development, will serve as strategic consultants for the project. The two companies will provide competitive positioning, leasing, marketing and management services for Harbor Commons.
“Staten Island’s waterfront is a treasure. The development of a designer outlet center and hotel will generate nearly 700 permanent jobs and capture a good portion of the $34 billion that is being spent by tourists in New York each year,” says James Prendamano, a broker associate for Casandra Properties.
The project, which was designed by SHoP Architects, features expansive open corridors to the water, use contemporary materials reflective of the industrial waterfront and a sustainable green roof visible from the Harbor. The design also incorporates grand staircases, glass elevators and streamlined escalators to guide shoppers from the waterfront up to Richmond Terrace.
BFC Partners will enter into a 99-year lease with the city. In addition to lease payments, the company will also make annual monetary contributions to area-wide maintenance — such as upkeep of the waterfront esplanade. The project will begin construction in the winter of 2014 and will be complete in 2016.