Cadman Towers (An elevated 1.5 acre BK Heights Oasis)

Brooklyn Heights, NY

A transformative rooftop renovation at Cadman Towers, a notable feature of the Brooklyn Civic Center and Cadman Plaza urban renewal plan, stands as a testament to resilient design and expert project management. This ambitious 1.5-acre undertaking, completed in 2025, revitalized an aging public space into a flourishing green sanctuary, navigating a series of complex challenges to do so.

The project, which included the creation of native habitat and pollinator gardens, was initially beset by significant budgetary, design, and procedural hurdles. These issues were compounded by high turnover among the client board, design teams, owner's representatives, and contractors. With the project over budget and behind schedule, I brought an experienced eye to the construction administration phase, playing a pivotal role in steering the project back on course. This involved active and successful engagement across all stakeholder groups to resolve outstanding issues.

The core of the project involved a significant structural overhaul of the plaza's aging structural slab, which was demolished and repaired using innovative landscape technologies. A state-of-the-art waterproofing membrane was installed to protect the new amenity spaces and shield the roof from rain and UV exposure. The design now thoughtfully incorporates verdant, predominantly native plantings, a variety of fixed and flexible seating opportunities, and lighting to create an inviting oasis for both day and night use.

Following the initial engagement, the leadership at Cadman Towers sought out my continued expertise as a consultant and advisor. This ongoing collaboration focuses on rectifying additional issues that could not be addressed under the original contract, ensuring the long-term success and vision of this vital urban space.

The landscape architect of record for the initial project was W, with key personnel including Barbara Wilks, David Ostrich, Qi An, Yi-Lun Yang, and Blair Guppy.

Role:

  • Advisory Representation

  • Project Management

  • Construction Observation

  • Design

A woman swimming in a private outdoor pool surrounded by lounge chairs and lush green trees.
A public garden with trees, benches, and three children walking and one sitting on a bench.
A young man with short hair, wearing a gray sweatshirt and black pants, is standing on a sidewalk, taking a photo of a modern building with a decorative chandelier hanging outside. The building has brick walls, green shrubbery, and pink trees on each side of the walkway.