NEW YORK | Staten Island North Shore Development | FT | FLOORS

[NYguy]

The NY Wheel is finally, finally dead, as the City seeks to redevelop the waterfront properties into a mixed-use neighborhood.


https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estat...former-new-york-wheel-site-staten-island

Thousands of new homes planned for infamously failed Staten Island Ferris wheel site





Eddie Small
November 19 2025

The city plans to build a reimagined neighborhood with as many as 2,500 homes at the site of an ill-fated Ferris wheel project and struggling outlet mall on Staten Island's North Shore.

The New York City Economic Development Corp. and Staten Island Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks announced Wednesday that they intend to develop a mixed-use waterfront neighborhood at the former New York Wheel site and the underutilized Empire Outlets shopping mall. The sprawling development, close to the borough's famous ferry terminal, would include new homes, open space, community facilities and retail space.

Hanks and the EDC launched a public outreach process to reimagine the two sites in June. The plan would require a rezoning, meaning the EDC would need to go through the city's lengthy land use review procedure to see the project through. The agency plans to start this process during the second half of next year.

Officials hope to get the rezoning approved in 2027, choose developers in 2028 and break ground on the project in 2030, according to the Staten Island Advance, which first reported the news.

The city aims for this rezoning to build on its 2023 Staten Island North Shore Action Plan, which provided a $400 million investment to build 2,400 new homes and more than 20 acres of public space in the area. The city has opened the 115-unit Lighthouse Point residential project and started construction on the Tompkinsville Esplanade over the last two years as part of this plan.

[NYguy]

https://www.silive.com/news/2025/11/excl...mpire-outlets-ny-wheel-on-wednesday.html

Exclusive: NYC to reveal new, mixed-use vision for Empire Outlets, N.Y. Wheel on Wednesday





Nov. 19, 2025

The failed developments surrounding the St. George Ferry Terminal will be transformed in the coming years into a vibrant, mixed-use waterfront community that better serves borough residents.

The new vision comes following a five-month public engagement period, during which officials solicited feedback from the community on how to best transform the underutilized shopping center and defunct site of what was planned to house the New York Wheel.

“Building on the significant progress achieved through the Staten Island North Shore Action Plan over the past two years, NYCEDC and the city recognized the need for a fresh approach to Empire Outlets and the former New York Wheel site, one that puts Staten Islanders first,” said NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “After months of meaningful engagement with the North Shore community, we are proud to unveil a new vision for a vibrant, mixed-use waterfront neighborhood, with new homes, open space, and retail just steps from the ferry.”

Officials seem to have heeded their advice, with the new plans including the production of up to 2,500 new homes serving a mix of ages and incomes, more open space and retail options geared towards residents instead of tourists.

The Advance/SILive.com has obtained the NYCEDC vision report outlining the most frequents requests made by residents during the public engagement period, which included housing, expanded waterfront access, new cultural spaces, an emphasis on youth-oriented development, resident-focused retail and expanded transit infrastructure.

[NYguy]

https://edc.nyc/press-release/new-vision-staten-island-empire-outlets-former-ny-wheel

NYCEDC, Councilmember Hanks Unveil New Vision to Reimagine Empire Outlets and Former NY Wheel Site on Staten Island’s North Shore





By NYCEDC
Nov 19 2025

The City is now taking a fresh approach, with Staten Islanders at the center, to create a waterfront with up to 2,500 additional new homes—serving a range of income levels and life stages—expanded public open space, and neighborhood-serving retail options and community space that better serve residents. Staten Island's North Shore is a key component in the Harbor of the Future initiative, tapping into the city's waterways and waterfront assets to deliver a modern, sustainable economy for all New Yorkers.

n the coming months, NYCEDC will continue to engage Staten Islanders on the future of these sites through additional community events and other focused conversations with residents. To deliver homes, shops, and services for Staten Islanders, Empire Outlets and the former New York Wheel site must be rezoned. NYCEDC will go through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) to bring this vision to life. The environmental review process will begin in the first half of 2026, with ULURP likely starting in the second half of next year. Both processes will provide several more opportunities for public feedback on the vision and plan.

[NYguy]

https://edc.nyc/press-release/new-vision-staten-island-empire-outlets-former-ny-wheel

Community Vision Report Outlines New Direction to Create a Vibrant, Mixed-Use Waterfront Neighborhood Near the Ferry Terminal
With up to 2,500 New Homes, Open Space, Community Facilities and Retail Options for Staten Islanders

[mrnyc]

yeah i went to a community planning event at empire outlets and they showed some of this, glad to see hanks is putting it out there now. this plan will save part of the outlet mall and put the other half of it to use instead of sitting empty.

most curious to me is the ghostly white building on the far left of the render. that was supposed to be a hotel within the historic lighthouse point area. we all assumed that was dead, but here it seems it may still be in play.

also encouraging, we see that east of the ferry station they are currently working hard to improve the water/sewer lines along bay street/richmond terrace, rebuilding a boardwalk to stapleton and clearing waterfront lots for construction, so infrastructure and housing work in that direction is already afoot.

we'll see what happens.

[NYguy]

They should probably increase the amount of housing units. Those buildings are very modest, but this is a transformative development. They may as well go all in.

[mrnyc]

something is happening —
this just went up the other day —
on st george bay street by the ferry —





the 40 bay st old diner here — 1941-1979

[NYguy]

^ Whatever's going up there should be an improvement.

[mrnyc]

^ no news —

but its getting gutted to offer for development so at least that is something good —

here is a former plan for the site that unfortunately typical of staten fell through —



40 Bay Street Update 06/16/22

8-Story Mixed-Use Development Approved in St. George

An 8-story, mixed-use development, set for 40 Bay Street in Staten Island's St. George neighborhood has just been approved by the NYC Planning Board.

https://www.bldup.com/posts/8-story-mixed-use-development-approved-in-st-george



more site history —


Beloved former restaurant is a haunting sight in this Staten Island neighborhood. Have a look inside

Published: Oct. 05, 2023

https://www.silive.com/news/2023/10/belo...and-neighborhood-have-a-look-inside.html

[mrnyc]

New Work Headlines

Staten Island’s North Shore Poised for Transformation as City Greenlights $400 Million Waterfront Revitalisation Project


New York, New York – November 27, 2025 —

New York City officials have announced an ambitious plan to reimagine Staten Island’s neglected waterfront, marking one of the most significant urban development initiatives in the borough’s recent history. The Staten Island North Shore Action Plan represents a comprehensive effort to convert abandoned industrial sites and former military installations into vibrant, mixed-use communities that will serve residents for generations to come.

The centrepiece of this transformation involves the New Stapleton Waterfront, a 32-acre former United States naval base that will be reimagined into a thriving neighbourhood. Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Economic Development Corporation have committed $400 million in public investment to realise this vision, with construction anticipated to commence in 2027. The project exemplifies the city’s commitment to sustainable urban development whilst addressing critical housing shortages across the five boroughs.

The development will deliver substantial benefits to Staten Island residents. Over 2,100 mixed-income residential units will be constructed across the site, providing homes for families at various income levels. Notably, 25 per cent of units in the initial phase will be designated as affordable housing, targeting families earning between 40 and 80 per cent of the area median income. This commitment to economic diversity reflects a deliberate strategy to ensure that revitalisation efforts benefit existing communities rather than displacing them.

Beyond residential construction, the project encompasses extensive public amenities designed to enhance quality of life. The development will feature a two-mile waterfront esplanade stretching from Stapleton through Tompkinsville to St. George, creating twenty acres of continuous public waterfront access. This recreational corridor will rival established waterfront destinations such as Brooklyn Bridge Park and Hudson River Park, offering Staten Island residents unprecedented access to the water’s edge. Additionally, the site will include a 600-seat public school, ground-floor retail spaces, and various community facilities, all integrated within twelve acres of interconnected public open space.


more:
https://thenyheadlines.com/staten-island...llion-waterfront-revitalisation-project/

[wanderer34]

I’m pretty sure that there are native Staten Islanders that wouldn’t mind high rise living in SI. I’m pretty sure that there’s a decent sized market for SIers. Only thing SI needs is to restore the North Shore rail line and make it into another route along the SIRT.

[NYguy]

https://www.silive.com/news/2025/12/prop...ces-opposition-over-parking-density.html

Proposed 369-unit tower on Staten Island faces opposition over parking, density





Dec. 06, 2025
By Jessica Jones-Gorman

Members of the Land Use Committee of Community Board 1 recently voted to deny a builder’s request for rezoning, after residents and local officials voiced concerns about the developer’s plan for a new 18-story residential tower in St. George and its impact on parking, overcrowding and neighborhood character.

“This project calls for 18 stories and 369 dwelling units in a space where there are currently six homes,” noted Marie LaFrancesca, who represented Borough President Vito Fossella at Tuesday’s meeting. “And that’s not taking into account all of the previous applications that have already been filed for the same neighborhood … it’s too much in one specific area and the neighborhood infrastructure cannot absorb this. The borough president is adamantly opposed.”

The Hamilton Avenue tower would replace two, two-family and four single-family homes, several of which were built close to a century ago. The biggest point of contention at the meeting, however, was the lack of parking: Only 146 on-site spots have been allocated for the 369 proposed residential units.

“We are a car-oriented borough, we depend on cars because of an already existing lack of infrastructure,” one speaker noted. “Yes, the ferry is right across the street, but how will these residents go grocery shopping or to the Mall? Bus service is lacking, and the Staten Island Rapid Transit only runs on the east coast of the borough. Was any of that taken into consideration? We’re not the same as the other boroughs.”

Another resident added: “There’s a lot of density proposed for St. George. Whether it all gets built or not, we don’t know. But our main issue there is congestion. This is a Manhattan type of building, but we don’t have the same bus service as Manhattan, and we certainly don’t have the same amenities as Manhattan. Where will the residents shop and dine? What schools will the children attend?”

Lauren George, an urban planning consultant who works with Mega Contracting Group, the Astoria-based company that is developing the site, addressed these concerns.

“This team is of the mind that this project is part of a changing community,” she said. “Density of people brings more retail and amenities. We agree that’s what people want, and we are looking to be part of that swing of the evolution of this community.”

To move forward, the project will need city approvals for a zoning map amendment and a zoning text amendment. The map change would “up-zone” the project site, removing it from the Special Hillsides Preservation District, and adding it to the Special St. George District.

Removal from the Special Hillsides Preservation District — established by the city in 1987 to preserve the character of the North Shore’s Serpentine Ridge and prevent erosion — would lift several building limitations.

Inclusion in the Special St. George District — developed in 2008 as a way to encourage a pedestrian-friendly commercial corridor around the St. George Ferry Terminal — would align with the builder’s plans.

[chris08876]

I thought the city of yes was going to curtail this BS. Staten Island needs to build. Dire housing situation and they think an 18 floor structure is somehow bringing Manhattan to Staten Island...

[mrnyc]

actually the two older apt bldgs up the hill are the main ones pushing back here, as they did on a previous apt tower plan a few years back. they dont want their views blocked. they are the only remotely real opposition i know of to all of these developments.

this part made me laugh as it’s an outright lie:

We are a car-oriented borough, we depend on cars because of an already existing lack of infrastructure,” one speaker noted. “Yes, the ferry is right across the street, but how will these residents go grocery shopping or to the Mall? Bus service is lacking, and the Staten Island Rapid Transit only runs on the east coast of the borough. Was any of that taken into consideration? We’re not the same as the other boroughs.”

^ reality is there are two major groceries walking distance right down bay st — a regular sized key food and a huge western beef. in addition, a brand new fancypants type grocery is supposedly coming in to lighthouse point apt tower, which just opened. also, the ferry station is literally a bus terminal with several busses to the SI mall and just about every non manhattan bound SIM express bus to anywhere else down island you want to go. it is utterly super convenient.

[NYguy]

I think as long as they are gonna demolish those homes, which still look livable, they should increase the density here. They should be pushing for as many units as they can build to increase the density. If need be, add another grocery store to the ground floor, parking, whatever it takes. I feel the city is being too timid in that regard. The NIMBYs are going to push back regardless, so you may as well go all out.




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[NYguy]

The River North towers proposed for the adjacent site...


https://www.bldup.com/posts/staten-island-tower-development-progresses-through-public-review

[NYguy]

There's no reason the waterfront towers (the Wheel and Outlet sites) shouldn't be built with Jersey City scale waterfront towers.








https://www.silive.com/news/2020/10/750-...able-housing-proposed-for-st-george.html

[mrnyc]

^ that ny wheel parking deck reno plan and the river north towers are older plans. thats why those towers are white ghosts on the full waterfront render. the other older ghost tower project on the left was supposed to be a hotel for light house point. before those, there was supposed to be a hotel tower at empire outlets, but that one got cancelled with covid and empire bankruptcy.

all of the other direct waterfront apt bldgs at empire and where the wheel was are the new plans. afaik there is no push back for those -- and in fact i hear neighbors talking about it and excited for it to happen. so we'll see.

[mrnyc]

Originally Posted by wanderer34

I’m pretty sure that there are native Staten Islanders that wouldn’t mind high rise living in SI. I’m pretty sure that there’s a decent sized market for SIers. Only thing SI needs is to restore the North Shore rail line and make it into another route along the SIRT.

the old north shore rail line cannot be restored, as it was at least, because much of the route is now in the water.
mta did float a plan for an elaborate dedicated brt route a few years ago, but i have not heard boo about that idea for a long time.

[manchester united]

Originally Posted by NYguy

There's no reason the waterfront towers (the Wheel and Outlet sites) shouldn't be built with Jersey City scale waterfront towers.








https://www.silive.com/news/2020/10/750-...able-housing-proposed-for-st-george.html

In your opinion, will these tall towers (over 25/30 floors) finally be built on Staten Island?