See more of the Pier designs at www.stpete.org and let them know which one is your favorite.
The City of St. Petersburg has $50 million set aside for a new pier, but will it be The Wave, The Lens or the People’s Pier featuring the Eye?
Below is a recap of the designs released Wednesday by the three firms tasked with coming up with what the city’s landmark will look like in a few years.
The public will have the opportunity to review and comment on each design at a special exhibit at the St. Petersburg Museum of History from Dec. 6 – 30.
On Dec. 16, the design teams will also present their concepts to the Pier Jury before a final recommendation is made on Jan. 20.
The Lens by Michael Maltzan Architecture: The architects say The Lens frames the city and water and provides for a window into the water. It features a canopy that rises 90 feet into the air evoking the idea of a wave or a boat’s sail.
There are two bridges going out to the end of this pier; one along the water the other rising overhead. The center of The Lens features a 2.5-acre reef for marine life.
There’s also a harbor and boat docks. On land, the designers have proposed an amphitheater and retail space.
The cost of The Lens is estimated at $45 million with $9 million in additional options.
The Wave by BIG: The Wave is called that for obvious reasons; the pier mimics some features of a wave and at the end of the pier it disappears into the water.
This design has areas set aside for paddleboarding, a marina, a sun deck and marketplace. The approach could also include a 50-meter pool.
The signature structure itself stands almost 130 feet tall and has five levels. Inside it has room for a possible wave machine for indoor surfing and a bubble room.
The cost of this design is listed at $50 million with a landside master that totals another $12 million.
The People’s Pier featuring the Eye by West 8 Urban Design and Landscape Architecture: The designers call this pier a mini-Copacabana that will link the public and the water. There is space on this pier for fishing and there’s also a beach surrounding the Eye.
Inside the Eye, located at the end of the pier is space for restaurants, a panorama deck which could be used for galas and also an observation area on the top level.
Cost for this design starts at $45 million but could run up to almost $94 million with all the bells and whistles.
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