6. The Lost Pier 17 Mall
Before the 2018 arrival of SHoP Architect’s 300,000 square-foot building at Pier 17, there was the Pier 17 Mall. The red steel and glass building was designed by Benjamin Thompson & Associates. In opened in 1985 as part of a revitalization of the Seaport District and became a tourist attraction in the area.
After decades of ups and downs, the mall closed in 2013, nearly thirty-years after it originally opened. Like the rest of the area, the mall’s business had been severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Untapped New York documented its demolition and the mixed responses to its removal. The mall was replaced by multi-use glass-clad building with a mix of dining, retail, and gathering spaces. The most exciting feature of the new Pier 17 building is the roof deck which serves as an entertainment venue and large-scale public space.
