Pier 17 Rooftop To Welcome Year-Round Concerts, Ice Skating, Markets, & More With Heated Glass Enclosure Addition

Pier 17’s electrifying rooftop concert series is a New York City summer staple, but why should the fun end once the temperatures drop? Let’s be real–the city *is* called the City that Never Sleeps for a reason, and being we have that reputation to uphold we can’t just allow the colder temperatures to change that. And, well, Pier 17 feels the same way–that’s why they’re proposing adding a glass enclosure to keep the fun going year-round. On Tuesday, July 15th, the Seaport Entertainment Group presented detailed plans to the Landmarks Preservation Commission that would make concerts at the Rooftop at Pier 17 a year-round staple. Plans include installing a seasonal heated glass structure to the rooftop from late-November through mid-March to keep the live music bumping and foot traffic up during a time when it drops significantly. Now in its seventh year, the Summer Concert Series at Pier 17 has proven to be a success–the 3,500-capacity, open-air rooftop concert series has seen a 91% average ticket sell-through rate since its 2018 debut, as outlined in the presentation. Though George Giaquinto, senior vice president of development at the Seaport Entertainment Group, noted how it’s “no secret that visitation to the Seaport declines significantly in the winter months.” To combat this, the Seaport Entertainment Group has hosted a handful of experiences extending past the summer months, including installing a pop-up tennis court, icing up a skating rink, and transforming into the ultimate winter oasis with cozy cabins for dining. But their sights are reaching further than that. The Seaport Entertainment Group first announced these year-round rooftop plans a while back, stating that winter concerts would begin as early as this year (2025). However, it’s now clear that they’re focusing on much more than just live music. The group’s current proposal plans include a heated seasonal structure that not only includes a stage for concerts, but also an ice skating rink and skate shop, a warming hut, market stalls, and some of the existing open-air roof left uncovered and exposed to the elements. The climate-controlled enclosure–beginning at 25 feet with a pitched roof reaching 50 feet to help with snow accumulation–would fit up to 3,000 fans, all without obstructing the iconic backdrop. During the presentation, however, some commissioners expressed their concerns regarding the design, including its size and lack of “excitement,” as well as its potential to block views of the city, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the historic district. LPC Vice Chair Frederick Bland stated: > Okay, it’s not going to be Sydney Harbor, but it could be something that really celebrates its moment on the shore. There is support for the structure, however, LPC Chair Sarah Carroll is urging the group to refine the design and explore how it can connect with the building below to better establish it as a destination. Thus, the commission is interested in the Seaport Entertainment Group presenting them with an updated design. If all goes well, construction would begin this October and wrap up by late November –meaning yes, winter concerts would be a go this season. Source: https://secretnyc.co/pier-17-rooftop-year-round-glass-enclosure/