685 Third Avenue Pocket Park

Gensler provided robust building repositioning services for not-for-profit TIAA CREF to improve 685 Third Avenue’s value. As part of a comprehensive rethink of the ground floor, the team of landscape architects re-imagined the plaza into a pocket park with food and beverage offering. This 4,000-square-foot Pocket Park features a 30-foot living wall and an entry water wall that echoes New York City’s renowned Paley Plaza; ipe wood and concrete paver decking; infinity pools; seasonal trees and a bistro.  Movable seating allows users to interact with the space. What was once an under-utilized entrance way for this building is now a unique asset for the building owner and a vibrant place for the public in the heart of Manhattan.