Скачать или смотреть New Jersey view from New York City and entrance to the Pier 61 (Chelsea). Manhattan

New Jersey view from New York City and entrance to the Pier 61 (Chelsea). Manhattan

Hudson River, Pier 61, and New Jersey view from New York City.

Chelsea Piers, located on the West Side of Manhattan in New York City, has a rich history that reflects the evolution of the city’s waterfront from a bustling maritime hub to a modern recreational complex. Here’s a concise overview of its history:

Early 20th Century: Maritime Hub: Construction and Opening (1902–1910): Chelsea Piers, spanning Piers 54 to 62 between Little 12th Street and 23rd Street, were built to modernize Manhattan’s waterfront. Designed by the architectural firm Warren and Wetmore (also known for Grand Central Terminal), the piers replaced dilapidated structures with grand buildings featuring pink granite facades. Construction began in 1902 and was completed in 1910 after years of planning and controversy over land use, including the condemnation of businesses and the partial preservation of 13th Avenue.

Role as a Passenger Terminal (1910–1930s): The piers served as a major passenger ship terminal for luxury ocean liners, including those of the Cunard and White Star Lines. Notable ships like the RMS Lusitania docked at Pier 54, and the RMS Carpathia arrived there in 1912 after rescuing Titanic survivors, drawing thousands to the docks. The piers handled millions of passengers, from wealthy travelers to immigrants arriving in steerage class, many of whom were ferried to Ellis Island.

Key Events: Titanic (1912): The Titanic was scheduled to dock at Pier 59 but sank en route. The Carpathia brought survivors to Pier 54, a pivotal moment in the piers’ history.

Lusitania (1915): The Lusitania departed from Pier 54 before being torpedoed by a German U-boat, an event that influenced U.S. entry into World War I.

World War I and II: The piers were critical for troop deployments, especially during World War II, serving as embarkation points for soldiers heading to Europe.

Mid-20th Century: Decline
Shift to Cargo and Decline (1930s–1960s): The rise of larger ships like the RMS Queen Mary necessitated longer piers uptown (Luxury Liner Row, West 44th–52nd Streets), reducing Chelsea Piers’ role as a passenger terminal by the 1930s. The piers transitioned to cargo operations, used by companies like United States Lines and Grace Line. Catastrophic fires in 1932 and 1947 damaged some piers, and by the 1950s, the rise of commercial air travel further diminished transatlantic passenger shipping.

Abandonment (1960s–1980s): As industry left Manhattan during deindustrialization, the piers fell into disrepair. By the 1970s, they were largely abandoned, with Pier 60 used as a tow pound, Pier 59 as a sanitation truck repair shop, and Pier 62 as a U.S. Customs Impound Station. Plans for the Westway highway project in the 1970s proposed demolishing the piers, but the project was scrapped in 1985 due to environmental concerns over striped bass habitats.

Late 20th Century: Revitalization: Transformation into a Sports Complex (1990s): In 1992, Chelsea Piers Management, Inc. won a bid to redevelop Piers 59–62 into a sports and entertainment complex. Construction began in 1994, with ceremonies attended by Governor Mario Cuomo and Mayor Rudy Giuliani. The Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex opened in August 1995, featuring a golf driving range, ice rinks (Sky Rink), a field house, fitness center, bowling alley (Bowlero), film studios (Silver Screen Studios), and a marina. This redevelopment marked a shift toward recreational use, aligning with Manhattan’s broader waterfront revitalization.