Project by Jason Li
My project repositions underutilized Pier 76, a former NYPD tow pound, into a contemporary bathhouse and sports complex inspired by the ancient bath gymnasium at Sardis. Instead of remaining a flat expanse of asphalt, the pier becomes a dense social and wellness hub that combines hot and cold pools, saunas, lounges, and flexible athletics courts. The primary users are office workers from Hudson Yards and nearby towers, who will typically arrive on foot from the 7 train, the High Line, and the Hudson River Park walkways. By aligning entrances with these major pedestrian flows, the project turns an isolated pier into a natural link between the end of the Highline and Hudson River Park. The goal is to create an all day, high demand program that fights the lonely epidemic, supports physical and mental health, and anchors a more active public life on the Midtown waterfront.
