The Bjarke Ingles Group unveils ambitious plans for Freedom Plaza, a transformative megaproject just south of the United Nations headquarters in Midtown Manhattan. Envisioned as a vibrant public space, the project aims to convert the area into a three-block-long park, featuring retail spaces and the Museum of Freedom and Democracy. Inspired by UN building principles, the design extends greenery to the East River, creating a cohesive urban oasis.
Central to the project are two 615-foot-tall skyscrapers connected by a captivating “skybridge” and crowned with a rooftop infinity pool, adding a distinctive touch to the city skyline. These towers will serve as architectural marvels and house two hotels. The lobby, spanning the tops of the towers, is conceived as a lively space with restaurants, bars, an art gallery, and a unique glass-floored, glass-ceilinged viewing platform.
Renderings of the Freedom Plaza (Bucharest Studio/Courtesy BIG)
Pending license approval, developers plan to include a subterranean casino, adding an extra layer of entertainment and luxury. The project also encompasses two new residential towers, standing at 50 and 60 stories, evoking the modernist spirit of New York City’s buildings from the 1950s and 1960s.