Cove Condominiums
The site, located on an underdeveloped cove abutting a historic downtown strip, is part of a larger redevelopment of the waterfront area. The development goal is to revitalize the existing industrial waterfront by removing outdated commercial buildings and replacing them with sustainable, residential, and mixed-use facilities.
The building's orientation on the site and L-shaped scheme was designed to give
most residential units ideal views while parking and building amenities are placed in areas without.
A pedestrian greenway sits just above the cove’s new bulkhead and aims to create a waterfront connection to
the nearby historic downtown.
The northern wing of the building, which looks out towards Hempstead Bay, takes
units from the southern edge and steps up to provide even more units with the ideal views.
Providing the residents with a visual connection to nature and natural light from their homes has positive
effects on mental health and wellness.
Each corner unit has its own wrap around balcony that looks upon the peaceful cove and the historic downtown just a block south. The tree lined coast to the north climbs a steep cliff which paints a colorful seasonal display for the residents. Since these covered areas are semi-enclosed, this outdoor space becomes a functional space for much of the year.
Designing the building to include multiple stair cores minimized the space reserved for interior hallways. This increased the size of the unit's livable space and allowed us to organize the apartments in order to maximize the number of units with water views. This Presentation (LINK) further highlights that design concept.
Creating a pedestrian path behind the building is a small part in a larger plan to ultimately connect the waterway back to the historic district and the newly raised viaduct. The path would encourage residents and visitors to the town to exercise while experiencing nature and/or patronizing small businesses.
