Our design for Astor Place and Cooper Square reclaims more than one acre of paved street space to create a pedestrian-first urban district. Envisioning three interlinked plazas along the 4th Avenue axis, the design introduces dynamic, multifunctional public spaces. Each plaza is conceived as a unique experience, tied together by a cohesive program of materials and forms, bringing purpose to this once chaotic traffic hub.

Aerial view of the Astor Place intersection.
Astor Place and Cooper Square’s angled streets caused congestion, while long pedestrian crossings created a dangerous and fragmented experience for commuters, college students, and residents. This limited circulation left public spaces in the area largely unused, offering minimal opportunities for gathering. The absence of central, defining features and mixed use of materials made it difficult for the neighborhood to establish a distinct, cohesive identity.

Urban plaza with a tree, curved bench, and people walking or sitting near historic and modern buildings.
Our plan for Astor Place and Cooper Square is a strategic reimagining of the public space, with the roadways becoming three linked plazas along 4th Avenue, each with a distinct character unified by elliptical forms, cohesive paving, and shared materials.
The project prioritizes pedestrian safety and accessibility with widened sidewalks along Peter Cooper Park. Traffic moves in defined paths, replacing previous chaos with order. Sustainability and resilience play a central role, with porous pavers, bioswales, and materials like high fly-ash concrete that manage stormwater and promote ecological health.
Inviting seating—granite blocks, stone steps, and signature "zipper benches"—fosters informal gathering and community engagement. The design celebrates local history, restoring cultural artifacts like Jim Power's mosaic lampposts and the historic subway kiosk. Flexibility means the public realm can host outdoor cafés, markets, and pop-up events, ensuring continued relevance as a vibrant civic hub.

The signature zipper bench blends dynamic form with functionality.
This comprehensive vision came to life through strategic partnerships with celebrated arborist Piet Oudolf, landscape architects Quennell Rothschild & Partners, and Tillett Lighting Design. The collaboration yielded tangible results and expanded pedestrian space along the busy intersections from East 4th to East 9th Streets around Astor Place.

Stone seating and native plantings create a vibrant public space.
The transformation of Astor Place and Cooper Square significantly impacts safety, accessibility, and urban vitality. The project closes a portion of the surrounding streets and makes some streets narrower and one-way, enabling the conversion of the area into pedestrian plazas, including the new Village Plaza, a two-block triangular space. Safety improves with new medians, expanded curbs, and the correction of hazardous intersections, making pedestrian crossings safer. Green enhancements, such as an expanded Peter Cooper Park, additional trees, and bioswales, improve storm drainage and create a more welcoming, sustainable public realm.
“This is distinguished, if self-effacing, public design.
”— New York Magazine

Transit and pedestrians flow harmoniously through the streetscape at Astor Place.

The zipper bench adds sculptural seating, enhancing comfort and connectivity.

Shaded by mature trees, the reimagined plaza integrates greenery and historic elements into the urban core.

Linear planters and modern paving enhance pedestrian activity along a revitalized urban corridor.

41 Cooper Square by Morphosis anchors the plaza, its angular form contrasting with natural landscape elements.

Aerial perspective reveals landscaped plazas integrating seamlessly with the urban fabric.

The restored subway kiosk anchors the plaza, blending historic charm with lush plantings and active streetscapes.

Astor Place at dusk highlights the zipper bench, subway kiosk, and surrounding architecture.
Keywords
- Streets
- Accessibility
- Community
- Mobility
Type
- Infrastructure
- Plazas
- Public Realm Frameworks
Client
- New York City Department of Design & Construction
- New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
Collaborators
Awards
Outdoor/Urban Landscape Honoree, NYCxDesign Awards