Waterside Plaza

Waterside Plaza is a Mitchell-Lama Housing Program funded rental apartment complex located in the Kips Bay section of Manhattan, New York City.

Overview
The apartment buildings that make up Waterside (as well as the neighboring United Nations International School) were constructed on top of platforms above the East River. Developed by Richard Ravitch, the first apartment buildings opened in 1973 and the complex was completed the following year.

The complex is made up for four residential towers as well as a row of duplex townhouses, clad in red brickwork, that encompass a large plaza overlooking the East River. There are 1,470 residential units along with a health club (open to non-residents) and a parking garage. Waterside Plaza's small retail space is occupied by Citibank, cleaners, a stationery store, Creative Dream Parties, a Gristedes, and Benvenuto Restaurant.

Waterside is accessible to vehicles only by entering from 23rd Street. Cars and trucks leaving Waterside can do so through 23rd Street or driving along a service road to 34th Street. A footbridge at East 25th Street allows safe passage across the FDR Drive. Waterside is also the last stop on the M16 bus.

Waterside is notable as Manhattan's only residential complex currently located east of the FDR Drive. The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway passes between the two.

In 2004 Waterside Management Company LLC launched a three-year capital improvement program with a cost in excess of $35,000,000. The capital improvement program included upgrades to all new apartments as they became vacant as well as all hallways and each building's reception and concierge areas. The plaza itself was re-waterproofed and repaved and extensive park-like landscaping added. The health club, parking facilities, and security system were also upgraded.

Waterside Plaza hosts year-round events that are free and open-to-the-public. The most popular are the outdoor summer concerts in July and the outdoor Monday night movies in August. In 2008 Waterside Plaza hosted the Make Music New York festival, during which 17 bands performed concerts on three different stages - on the waterside, in the gardens, and on the plaza. Other events include monthly playreadings, a short play festival, a dance festival, a spring flea market, and an electronic recycling day.

Architectural significance
Waterside Plaza was designed by the architecture firm of Davis, Brody & Associates. In 2001, New York Times architectural critic Herbert Muschamp described Waterside as a "great urban composition" that is "picturesque and historically informed."

In 2004, the Municipal Art Society placed Waterside on its "30 Under 30", a watch list of future landmarks.