New York City‘s Battery Maritime Building (BMB), the city’s last working historic ferry terminal—dating back to 1909 and enjoying heritage status since 1976—has been transformed into a luxury hospitality destination, preserving its unique historical charm through meticulous restoration.
The design firm, Marvel, served as the lead architect on the transformation of the terminal into a historically sensitive multi-use event and hospitality venue. Today, the 15,050-m2 (162,000-sf) facility is reinvigorated by its various new functions.
Situated at the foot of Broadway, the BMB is one of the most iconic sites on the Manhattan Island. Constructed in 1909, the Beaux-Arts Structural Expressionist structure, conceived by Walker & Morris as a public ferry terminal, gained recognition early in its existence. In 1966, the BMB was nominated as an individual landmark by the Landmark Preservation Commission, and later, in 1976, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Marvel’s approach aimed not only to recreate the lost historic elements like the cupola, spire, and pergola features of the front façade, but also to restore their visual impact on the skyline. The addition of a modern glass fifth floor, reflecting the sky, allows the cupolas and pergolas to stand out, faithfully reconstructing the original silhouette of the building.
The Great Hall, initially a waiting room for ferry passengers, has undergone a complete restoration, including the reconstruction of its centerpiece 39.6-m (130-ft)-long historic glass laylight. Today, it serves as an event space.
The ground floor now accommodates ferry access, a port cochere driveway, and elegant new lobbies with a ceremonial stair. The second floor has been transformed into an events venue, featuring the 836 m² (9,000-sf) Great Hall. The third and fourth floors were rebuilt to house a 47-room boutique hotel. Finally, the fifth floor hosts a membership club with a jazz club, bars, and a restaurant, offering sweeping views of the Upper Hudson Bay.
