The words clients use to describe the views from events held at Pier 17 in the Seaport District say it all—"jaw-dropping," "breathtaking," "incredible." There are other compelling reasons to host an event in one of these spaces in Lower Manhattan, too—creative flexibility, a variety of options for 50 to 3,400 guests, customizable catering—but the event team at The Howard Hughes Corporation knows that it's those knockout views that set its event venues apart.
"New York is surrounded by water," said Lisa Rubin, director of event sales for the Seaport District. "At Pier 17, which is set 300 feet out into the East River, you're awarded a vantage point that is completely unique to Pier 17 and not accessible anywhere else. As a guest, you can stand on the Rooftop at Pier 17 watching a performance on stage and the backdrop is the Brooklyn Bridge." That alone is impressive, but with a 1.5-acre open footprint on the rooftop, the views don't end there. "You get a stunning 360-degree view of all three bridges, the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and the One World Trade spire. You can pretty much see every landmark in Manhattan from Pier 17."
While some New Yorkers may remember this location as home to a mall beloved by tourists, The Howard Hughes Corporation has completely re-created Pier 17 as a dynamic event, culinary, and entertainment hub, and the anchor of the revitalized Seaport District. The five-story building is illuminated with customizable LED lights that create a glow along the waterfront—a thoroughly modern feature that sits alongside the Seaport's historic appeal; its tall ships, charming cobblestone streets, and beautifully preserved 19th-century buildings.
It's this juxtaposition of old and new, said Rubin, that makes the Seaport District such a compelling choice for hosting a one-of-a-kind event. "Large or small scale, this is a unique destination downtown—and very accessible." (Not just by car and subway, Rubin points out, but also by ferry.)
In addition to the rooftop, which can accommodate up to 3,400 standing guests, Pier 17 has two indoor event spaces—the Green Room with a capacity for 200 and Level 4, with a capacity for 1,800. At the base of the pier is a 38,000-square-foot, open-air space, Seaport Square, perfect for public activations (like the ones hosted by Fenty Beauty by Rihanna and Oscar Mayer), and nearby in the Historic District, an entire block of cobblestoned streets can be used for outdoor events.
"The venues lend themselves to the ability to host really grand scale productions," said Rubin, naming New York Fashion Week shows and Gwyneth Paltrow's In goop Health wellness summit as some of Pier 17's most successful events. The Rooftop is popular for large summer corporate outings, and more intimate events can be hosted in one of the Seaport's restaurants, including the airy, two-level Cobble & Co., the multi-use spaces of 10 Corso Como, and R17, a sleek cocktail bar hidden atop Pier 17. The latter may be the Seaport's smallest event venue, but, in summer, it features two patios. And you know what that means—those incredible views.
To book events at the Seaport District and Pier 17, contact Lisa Rubin at 646.553.1508 or [email protected]. For more information, visit pier17ny.com/venue-rentals/venue-rental-main-page.html.
