Commissioner Thomas Foley of the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced Thursday that the agency’s recent project to improve safety and access at the entrance of Wave Hill, a public garden and cultural center in the Bronx, has been recognized with a Merit Award from the Society of American Registered Architects (SARA) as part of its 2023 SARA California Design Awards.
“Many New Yorkers may be surprised to know that through our Project Excellence program the city’s new libraries, cultural centers, firehouses and other public buildings are created by some of the country’s best design firms,” said Foley. “This project improved the visitor experience at Wave Hill and replaced the existing gatehouse with a new structure that honors the site’s historic nature.”
The project, which ended in 2021 and cost $3.5 million to build, reconstructed Wave Hill’s public entry with a new pedestrian entrance and pathway with upgraded lighting. The parking lot was repaved and nearby retaining walls that had deteriorated were replaced. New wall lighting and safety bollards were also added to the parking area.
Also included was a new gatehouse to replace an older one that had deteriorated near the garden’s entry. The new gatehouse was designed to be historically accurate, keeping with the landmark status of the site, and includes telecom and fiber optic capability for staff.
“The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs is proud to work alongside DDC to invest in and build cultural infrastructure that is more beautiful, sustainable, and accessible for all New Yorkers,” said NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “This wonderful project at Wave Hill is a great example of how this amazing partnership can benefit our city, and we thank the Society of American Registered Architect for this exciting recognition.”
Wave Hill Vice President and COO Michele Rossetti said she’s pleased to receive the Merit Award.
“Our new gatehouse provides a more welcoming and gracious experience for all our visitors,” she said. “Our goal was to build a new structure that complimented the other historic homes on the property, while enhancing accessibility, safety and amenities for visitors and staff. We’re thrilled that this beautiful addition to Wave Hill accomplishes all that.”
The design of the project was completed by CTA Architects under DDC’s Project Excellence program, which pre-qualifies firms to provide design services for city public buildings projects, reducing the time required to procure design services while ensuring the highest levels of quality and professionalism in construction projects managed by the agency. In March 2022, DDC announced 20 firms that have been selected to provide architectural design services in the current round of Project Excellence, including ten Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises.
Wave Hill is a 28-acre city-owned public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. It is a landmarked site located within a Special Natural Area District. The center descries its mission as “to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscapes, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.”
DDC previously completed a renovation of Wave Hill House, a nearly $10 million project that was a partnership between the City of New York, New York state and a group of devoted private supporters. The renovation of the building improved ADA accessibility, repaired water damage, upgraded lighting, plumbing and HVAC and replaced the boiler.
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