New York City is rediscovering its waterfront roots—thanks in part to an eight-acre marina that has taken shape at the mouth of the East River, between Piers 4 and 5 at Brooklyn Bridge Park: ONE°15 Brooklyn Marina.

As the first construction of its kind on the N.Y. Harbor in over 50 years, ONE°15 Brooklyn, opening at full capacity this spring, came with a price tag of more than $28 million and involved massive infrastructure work. Altogether, ONE°15, located between former shipping piers, has reminded New Yorkers that its boroughs’ waterfront, traditionally zoned for a clustering of logistics and storage facilities, can be accessed and enjoyed.

Nestled between two major rivers and the Atlantic Ocean, the N.Y. Harbor is susceptible to challenging tides and choppy waters. In response, ONE°15 implemented a robust system of wave attenuators comprised of deep draft steel barges, the first setup of its kind in NYC, to reduce the size and energy of incoming waves. Phase 2 of ONE°15’s construction also included the expansion of the Community Dock, which comprises the city’s largest access point, designed for recreational and educational activities such as kayaking, sailing, biology, etc.

Through a multi-phase design stage, ONE°15, managed by Singapore-based conglomerate SUTL and Chairman/CEO Arthur Tay, worked with city, state and federal agencies and officials, including the DSBS, NYSDEC, USACE and MTA, in navigating complex regulations, moratoriums and subway tunnels. The resulting site, which can host over 100 boats ranging from 30–200 ft. in length, is a significant feat.

Positioned above the R subway train and extending outward from a vibrant esplanade, ONE°15 designers and builders integrated the marina into its scenic backdrop. The design minimized piles near subway tunnels and public viewing areas and maintained open-view corridors to south Manhattan. To accommodate larger boats offshore and further its complete transformation, builders added piles with the MTA’s approval. —ONE°15 Brooklyn Marina