Renderings Put A 700-Foot Tower in the Middle of NYC’s Central Park Reservoir

Rendering courtesy of DFA Studio

DFA Studio has proposed placing a 712-foot tower in the middle of the Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park. Called the “Central Park Tower,” it would double as a temporary observation tower and a filtration device for the reservoir. If built, this tower would be the tallest timber structure in the world.

The Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir contains one billion gallons of contaminated water and is the inspiration for this temporary tower. The contaminated water is a health hazard to millions of New Yorkers, tourists, and animals, and as a solution, DFA Studio wants to revitalize the lake to be used as a viable water-source for the city in the future.

Rendering courtesy of DFA Studio

Constructed from a lattice of curved glue-laminated timber beams, the tower will have a filtration system in its narrow base and will widen as the structure goes up from there. The structure will also include an elevator that would bring visitors to the upper observation decks and a 112-foot spire would top off the tower and also serve as a lighting rod.

Powered by wind turbine, “DFA envisions a temporary landmark that is remarkably of its time to creatively transform the reservoir into one of New York’s boldest urban amenities,” said Laith Sayigh, the founder of DFA Studio.

Rendering courtesy of DFA Studio

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir was named after the wife of the late President John F. Kennedy in 1994 and is located between 86th and 96th Streets. A 106-acre man-made lake, it makes up about one-eighth of Central Park’s total area and currently provides water to the Harlem Meer and the Park’s Pool. Previously, it was used as a temporary water supply while the Croton Water system was closed for repairs for two weeks every year.

Rendering courtesy of DFA Studio

How New Yorkers will feel about the towering structure has yet to be determined, though opinions surrounding the solitary 432 Park Avenue skyscraper near the park may give us some indication. While Curbed NY has colorfully describe it as resembling a joint, the renderings of this timber tower provide us with an interesting perspective on how it could add to the city’s skyline.

One of the observation decks. Rendering courtesy of DFA Studio

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