S M A Stephen Moser Architects

New Leaf —

New Leaf
Fort Tryon Park
New York, NY

SMA’s architecture/landscape proposal for an existing restaurant in Fort Tryon Park, with new pavilion and reconfigured overlook plaza, enhances the connection of the popular eatery and wedding destination to its woodland setting, while improving its visibility in the park.

The New Leaf restaurant, with its iconic three-arched loggia, becomes a more vibrant gathering place for casual refreshment and candle-lit celebrations. At the same time, the design provides practical solutions for improving circulation and accessibility. The proposal, in response to a NYC Park's request for proposal, was commissioned by Coffeed, a NYC-based company that operated New Leaf. A highlight of the design is a new terrace pavilion that is constructed of timber and demountable, polycarbonate panels. In good weather, the tessellated tent-like structure would be open on all sides. An exterior staircase, understated and dramatic, connects the street-level entrance area in front of the loggia to an upper-level entrance at the building's south end. The steps appear to float atop the boulders as they climb to the upper-level terrace and pavilion.

The proposal also includes the renovation of the public plaza in front of the restaurant, landscaping around the building, and an interior redesign that gives the dining and bar areas a lighter sensibility while respecting the existing timber and stone architecture.

Recognition

THE PLAN 2020 Award (Hospitality, short-listed)

Project Size

4,120 sf (restaurant)
2,000 sf (pavilion)
2 acres (site)

SMA Team

Stephen Moser, principal
SMA Team: Helene Lee and Anthony Chan, project designers,
Kiril Bejolev
Guido Garfunkel, 3d visualization

Client

Coffeed

Landscape Architect

HMWhite

Visual Identity

Andrew LeClair

Lighting Design

Tirschwell Lighting & Design

Estimator

Shawmut Design & Construction

Mechanical Engineer

ME Engineers

Structural Engineer (pavilion)

KL&A Engineers & Builders