Photo Essay of 10 Cities
Along waterfronts, the greatest opportunity to create destinations is often at the piers. Some of the best waterfronts in the world have highly activated piers with a variety of uses, attractions, amenities and activities that make them lively and engaging places that people love to spend time. If a waterfront is seeking ways to revitalize and redefine itself, the piers are a great place to start. The examples below from around the world can provide inspiration.
Newport, Rhode Island
Along the downtown section of the Newport waterfront, there are many examples of piers with various uses, from public to private. Newport has one of the best waterfronts in New England and has many qualities that are good examples for other cities to follow. Bowen's Wharf is one.
full waterfront
Bowen's Wharf has a great mix of cafés, shops, and outdoor areas, offering a high level of what we call "intensity" because of the density of amenities and assets within a relatively compact space. This intensity is what makes it such an interesting place that attracts visitation.
San Francisco's Embarcadero
San Francisco's waterfront is punctuated by world-renowned piers full of things to see and do. They are connected by wide pedestrian walkways offering great views over the water as people jump from one pier to the other.
These two images show the Embarcadero from the Ferry Terminal (left) to the Exploratorium (right)
Piers 39 through 47 Fisherman's Wharf (left) and Pier 39 (right). This is the main tourist section of the Embarcadero.
Pier 39
Pier 39 is so great because it feels like a public square in the heart of the city even though it juts out into the water. Its layered activations on various floors and connected by bridges and terraces makes the place dynamic and interesting to explore.
Promenade and Historic Street Cars
Not only are the piers beloved destinations, but the connectivity here is also part of the attraction, with historic street cars around every corner.
Fisherman's Wharf
Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier is characterized by a wide pedestrian walkway that leads toward the open water, flanked on either side by attractions and amenities. This makes it feel like a classic passegiatta – a perfect place to take a walk in the fresh ocean air.
Sydney, Australia
Sydney's curved waterfront gives it a cozy sense of enclosure. It also increases the visibility of the waterfronts' surroundings, giving visitors a lot to see at every point of their stroll.
Copenhagen
Paper Island Temporary Activation
Copenhagen shows how even simple activations like pallets and umbrellas can turn a waterfront into a social hotspot. People just need a place to sit and some pleasant shade in order to enjoy the views and sounds of the water. Adding refreshments through pop-up food tents and kiosks takes it to the next level.
Chicago
Navy Pier
Chicago's Navy Pier is like a year-round carnival. From carousels and a variety of rides to restaurants and concert venues, the pier is the ultimate multi-layered destination by the water. It also offers amazing views of the Chicago skyline all along its length.
Oslo - Akker Brugge
Main Pier- Akker Brugge
Interior Plaza - Akker Brugge
New York City
Hudson River Park
Paris
Paris' riverfront is a fantastic example of designing for everybody. All along the water you can find games for children, comfortable seating areas for the elderly, cafés, restaurants, bars, and concerts and events for all. It is a waterfront designed with everyone in mind.
Seine Riverfront
While technically not a pier, the animation of the river edges along the Seine could be applied to a pier as well.
Vancouver, BC Canada
Granville Island and Public Market
Victoria and Albert
Granville Island Working Waterfront - Boat Yard and Concrete Plant
Boat Yard
When Granville Island was redeveloped in the 1970's, a concrete plant was kept. Today, their identity is closely tided to the island with trucks painted with vegetables and other imagery of the public market and attractions.
Cape Town, South Africa
Victoria & Albert Waterfront
The Victoria and Albert waterfront is the largest employer in the southern half of Africa and one of the best examples of a fully activated waterfront destination in the world.
San Diego
Waterfront Embarcadero
The dynamic design of restaurants, public areas and shops on San Diego's Embarcadero make it an attractive destination throughout the year. Its iconic art in particular makes it a memorable place to explore.
There is great opportunity for the activation of waterfronts at the piers. When there is a high level of intensity and a great mix of amenities, activities, and assets at piers they become anchors for the whole waterfront and the connections between them naturally come together as well.
