NEWSWALK ENTRY GARDEN
The Newswallk Condominium is comprised of over 200 apartments converted from what was once a printing press for the Daily News newspaper.
At the time that terrain was commissioned to redesign the entry garden it was little more than an oversized drop off circle, akin to a cul-de-sac and inappropriate for the building’s urban context. The entry was poorly lit, overgrown and uninviting- a place to move through as fast as possible.
The redevelopment of the entry garden aimed to provide a welcoming street presence to the condominium, harmonize the building’s wide mix of materials, and to provide a useful and enjoyable open space for residents.
The paving surface blends from the dark tonality of the lobby’s slate to the light concrete sidewalk, creating visual movement. Two planted islands emerge from the paving and shape the main entryway, framing a forced perspective to the front door. The sculptural islands, made of custom pre-cast concrete, morph fluidly from curbs to benches and are finely crafted to receive comfortable timber seats.
To one side of the entry is a smaller path with more intimate seating pockets, while on the larger side of the opposite side an expanded phase 2 landscape will bring play areas, social space and a demonstrative stormwater garden to building residents.
Stormwater is addressed sustainably via permeable paving, rain gardens, and a below grade cistern which detains water from entering the city storm sewer.
