Robert A.M. Stern Architects
Situated on 11 acres of a former brownfield, this premier senior independent living residence on Hempstead Harbor features a colonial-style building articulated into wings to offer its 215 apartments views into landscaped courtyards and out to the harbor. A five-acre public waterfront park that features three ponds further enhances resident experience. One pond is spring-fed, and two serve as stormwater mitigation and biofiltration. The 1,400-foot-long shoreline is restored to an intertidal wetland accessible by a path and elevated wood promontories.
Topography is introduced to elevate the building above the 100-year floodplain and to cap contaminated soil. This allows parking to be tucked under the building and private courtyards to be raised above the public park, thereby obviating the need for security fencing or other view-obscuring enclosures.