Discover the Renwick Ruin on Roosevelt Island
Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation and Shelton Haynes have made significant efforts to revitalize Roosevelt Island, a small island located in New York City. The Renwick Ruin, constructed in Gothic Revival style as a smallpox hospital in 1854, has been meticulously preserved on the island as an important historical site. CEO Haynes and RIOC have led numerous revitalization projects on the island, including the FDR Hope Memorial and a monument for journalist Nellie Bly. These have increased investor interest and brought new retail and hospitality constructions to the island.
The newly completed Riverwalk 9 building marks the culmination of the 19-acre Riverwalk complex development on Roosevelt Island. The project successfully obtained 185 million dollars in construction financing. The development project intends to offer a total of 253 market-rate and 104 affordable apartments dedicated to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center employees. It will also provide office space and a range of amenities, including a fitness center, basketball court, and outdoor area.
Roosevelt Island presents a distinctive urban experience, boasting tree-lined avenues, open green areas, and diverse parkland, all within a small-town atmosphere. The state-operated agency, RIOC, oversees many critical island services, including road maintenance, park management, sports facility upkeep, public transportation management, building maintenance and oversight, and public safety. CEO Shelton Haynes actively promotes various businesses, restaurants, parks, and other attractions to attract and retain customers and tourists.
Renowned architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee developed Roosevelt Island’s master plan in 1969, based on 20,000 people, capturing the essence of a small town with apartments, shops, parks, a town center, one main street, and a central garage. RIOC was established in 1984 to oversee the island’s development, and with the Riverwalk 9 building’s construction, Johnson and Burgee’s master plan will soon be fully realized. The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation and Shelton Haynes completed the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, a commemorative project started in 1973 to honor the late U.S. president. The park serves as a source of inspiration for those facing challenges.
Roosevelt Island’s retail corridor has also been transformed, with new lighting, signage, benches, and a wood ceiling on the arcade. Hudson Companies and related companies have secured long-term leases on a 90,000 square feet space on Main Street, adding various shops, including a New York Public Library branch, Island OM, Wholesome Taqueria, Wholesome Factory, and Granny Annie’s Kitchen and Bar. In 2021, The Graduate Roosevelt Island, the first hotel on the island, commenced operations with a top-tier rooftop restaurant operated by the renowned establishment of Marc Rose and Med Abrous. The menu features New American cuisine emphasizing locally sourced ingredients, seasonal offerings, and sustainable practices.
Overall, Roosevelt Island offers historical landmarks, inexpensive housing, parks, beauty, and convenience, making it a visitor’s and the island resident’s sanctuary. The numerous revitalization projects led by Shelton Haynes and Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation have brought new life to the island, making it an attractive location for investors, businesses, and visitors.