The Coney
When discussing the transformation of New York City from a blighted urban jungle in the late 1970s to the gleaming metropolis of today, we must not only focus on Manhattan. Urban development has been generous across all Five Boroughs in the 21st century, particularly in Brooklyn. The influx of artists to the Williamsburg district in the 1990s sparked a wave of urban improvement that continues to be felt across Brooklyn today. While Bushwick, Greenpoint, and Williamsburg are the Brooklyn districts that have generated more real estate development headlines, there's a Coney Island project worth discussing and following.
The Coney is a multifaceted plan aimed at revitalizing Coney Island and fostering its amusement and entertainment roots. Coney Island was a prime tourism destination during the Golden Age of Amusement Parks, which lasted until World War II. Since then, the coastal district has endured various periods of decline and rebound, always lagging behind its economic peak of the mid-20th century. The investors behind The Coney master-planned development project want Coney Island to reclaim the glory of "The People's Playground" not only as a nostalgic amusement district but also as a vibrant, year-round destination.
Although improvements to Coney Island and the South Brooklyn community have been discussed for decades, large-scale projects were not proposed until a few years ago. Most proposals considered before The Coney did not feature business partnerships, thus resulting in disjointed improvements that did not deliver widespread improvement. The master-planned development envisioned by the FXCollaborative architectural firm has the backing of Thor Equities, Global Gaming Solutions, Saratoga Casino Holdings, Legends Entertainment, and the Chickasaw Nation. Most of the news media attention on the project has been focused on its gaming aspect, which aims to be the first NYC casino destination; nonetheless, many other aspects of urban development merit discussion.
The Coney master-planned development intends to blend the district's historic charm with modern living, entertainment, and sustainable development. It is an ambitious project for a comprehensive overhaul that respects Coney Island's unique character while injecting new energy and economic opportunity into the area. The renderings revealed by FXCollaborative suggest that the project would be anchored by a 32-story tower housing 500 hotel rooms, thus implying that the district will be marketed as a tourism attraction for visitors coming from beyond NYC. Another planned structure is a concert venue with 2,500 seats plus multiple meeting spaces to accommodate conventions and expos. It wouldn't be Coney Island without shopping venues and dining spots, so the planned retail section would occupy an area larger than 90,000 square feet.
Most of the style heritage of Coney Island will be preserved in the sections where the current amusement rides operate. The iconic Cyclone roller coaster and the Wonder Wheel will get technology upgrades, but their mid-century aesthetic will not be touched. Other landmarks like the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues will retain their location, signage, and style. The rest of the project would be transformative in terms of architecture and design. FXCollaborative has designed various NYC landmarks such as Covenant House, Lincoln Center North, and the Statue of Liberty Museum, so the renderings of The Coney reflect the firm's modern approach to NYC style in the 21st century. Some of the modern touches include floor-to-ceiling glass on the lower levels of the hotel, tree-shaded walkways, and landscaped terraces. The hotel tower cuts a dynamic form; it is a collection of rounded structures rising to uneven heights covered by a glass facade. There's a prismatic arrangement of triangular panes extending from the top to the lower levels of the casino.
The overall ambiance of The Coney project is reminiscent of Universal Studios. The LED lighting and Art Deco design elements are inspired by the renovation of the Las Vegas Strip; the entire district would be illuminated by neon and pastel lights as well as colors. Unlike the current structural arrangement, many sections of The Coney would be elevated for access through elevators and sky bridges. Some of the rooftop sections of the hotel would offer amusement rides while others provide dining, lounging, and panoramic sightseeing of the beach, the Atlantic Ocean, and Luna Park, which would also be visible from many hotel rooms. An elevated NYC subway terminal would welcome visitors arriving on the D, F, N, and Q trains; they would be treated to vistas of the prominent signage and the imposing hotel tower.
While The Coney is the most headline-grabbing project in the South Brooklyn community, it is not the only redevelopment effort. Mayor Eric Adams has spoken various times about his administration's interest in redeveloping Coney Island, and he has directed the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYEDC) to issue requests for proposals (RFPs) to this effect. One of the leading RFPs is for the Coney Island West section, which has been zoned for mixed-income residential towers. The city-owned parcel for this project is near the beach, thus making the new apartment towers more attractive with the prospect of oceanfront views. This NYEDC initiative would include other projects to improve the marketability of Coney Island; for example, an engineering overhaul and remodel of the Reigelmann Boardwalk, renovating the beachfront Abe Stark Sports Center, and making upgrades to the fishing pier.
Thor Equities is not the only development firm vying for permission to build the first NYC casino. The New York State Gaming Commission plans to grant three casino licenses that would bring table gambling and slot machines to the Five Boroughs, and Coney Island has thus far been the preferred location. The Coney is thus far the only project to propose revitalizing the entire district; other RFPs focus on building a gaming floor attached to a hotel.
The Coney project would also create 4,000 permanent jobs at the hotel, casino, and retail sections. Approximately 5,000 construction workers would be hired. The main developers are promising to establish a $200 million community trust fund to address financial issues that may arise after demolishing many of the carnival stalls and businesses located along Surf Avenue. According to Global Gaming Solutions, the cost of the project would reach $3 billion before completion. The casino license alone requires a $500 million payment, and two other companies have expressed interest. If Resorts World is granted a license, the project would move to Queens; if granted to Empire City Casino, it would be developed in Yonkers. Even without a casino, NYEDC directors plan to evaluate other RFPs that would inject new life into Coney Island and uphold its legacy as the People's Playground.